Third Quarter the Key Again as Cedarville Beats St. Ignace, 85-55
By David Latva

At left, Anthony Lester (14) of St. Ignace knocks down a threepointer in the third quarter against Cedarville. At right, the Saints' Nick Montie (32) makes a fourth-quarter free throw.

It was momentum that carried the visiting Cedarville Trojans to a decisive 85-55 victory over the St. Ignace Saints during a non-conference boys basketball game Tuesday, February 6.

Momentum began to swing the Trojans' way in the closing seconds of the first half, which carried over to the beginning of the second half.

The third quarter was the key for the Trojans during the two teams' first match-up January 9. It was a repeat performance as Cedarville held a 33-13 advantage that started with the first nine points of the second half for a 38- 28 lead at the 5:34 mark.

"This was a big game for both teams," said Trojans Coach David Duncan. "This was a tournament atmosphere with the large crowd."

Coach Duncan said although his team performed well, it needs to shoot better at the free throw line.

For the Saints, playing a complete game is something that was learned in its loss, said Saints Coach Doug Ingalls.

"Both teams played well in the first half, but we fell off in the second half," he said.

James Peterson scored for a 28- 25 St. Ignace lead with 50 seconds remaining in the first half, but during the final seven seconds, Sheldon Tassier scored on a driving lay-up and C.J. Paquin steal and scored with two seconds on the clock, sending the Trojans into half-time with a 29-28 lead.

Anthony Lester answered in the third quarter with seven points and the Saints cut the Trojans lead to 41-38 at 4:20 before Cedarville closed out the third quarter, outscoring St. Ignace 21-3 as seven players scored for the Trojans. Cedarville was led by Jordan Duncan's six points. Cedarville completed the game with a 23-14 score in the final period.

In the first half, both teams matched points for a 13-13 score after the first eight minutes and, in the second quarter, the score was tied five times before the final minute of the first half.

LaSalle High School celebrated Parents Night with the dance (12 members), cheerleading (12 members), and basketball (10 members) teams honored the 34 athletes and their parents.

Above: Cedarville's Jordan Sweeney (3) drives to the hoop for two of his 13 points against the Saints. At right, C.J. Paquin (30) drains one of his two triples for Cedarville.

Trojans Stats: Justin Baker, 18 points, eight rebounds; Jordan Duncan, 16 points, four assists; Jordan Sweeney, 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals; Matt Hansen, nine points, five rebounds, Jason Duncan, nine points, five rebounds, three steals, three assists; Sheldon Tassier, seven points, Cody Thompson, two points.

Saints Stats: Dan Olsen, 15 points, eight assists, five rebounds; Anthony Lester, 14 points; Jake Weiss, eight points, four rebounds; Nick Montie, seven points; James Peterson, six points, 14 rebounds, three assists; Gerrit Mortensen, three points, three assists; Ben Matelski, two points, two rebounds; Lewie Mullins, six rebounds.

Saints Stay On Top in

SAC, Down Indians

St. Ignace defeated Newberry 60-41 during a road Straits Area Conference contest Friday, February 9.

"Anytime you can get a win on the road is important," said Coach Doug Ingalls. "We will be back at Newberry for the districts in a couple of weeks."

The Saints defense held the Indians to single-digit scoring in the first two quarters after a 14-8 lead to end the first eight minutes and 13-5 in the second quarter for a 27-13 half-time score.

St. Ignace held a 19-16 lead in the third quarter for a 46-26 advantage and closed out the league match-up with a 14-12 scoring edge in the final period.

Saints Stats: Jake Weiss, 16 points, five steals; Gerrit Mortensen, 15 points, eight rebounds, three steals, three assists; Dan Olsen, 14 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, four steals; Nick Montie, eight points, four rebounds; Anthony Lester, three points, three assists, three steals; James Peterson and Ben Matelski, two points; Lewie Mullins, six rebounds.

The Saints will host Rogers City in a key SAC contest Friday, February 16, and travel to Pellston Tuesday, February 20.