Girls Basketball

St. Ignace Girls 6-2 in

SAC AfterWin at Newberry

The St. Ignace Saints girls basketball team improved to 6-2 in the Straits Area Conference after a 55-39 league win over the Newberry Indians Friday, February 1, keeping them in pace with conference leader Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils.

The Saints (11-5 overall, 7-2 SAC), one game behind the Blue Devils (8-1 in the SAC) in the conference standings, got off to a good start with a 19-12 lead after the first eight minutes, and led 28- 22 at halftime after the Indians held a 10-9 scoring edge in the second quarter. Amanda Coveyou scored 15 points for St. Ignace during that span.

St. Ignace built a 43-34 lead after three quarters with a 15-12 scoring run and outscored Newberry 12-5 in the final eight minutes.

One area needing improvement in the Saints' offense was free throw shooting. The Saints made 35% from the free throw line, connecting on 11 of 31 attempts.

The Saints lost the services of Chelsea Swope for the remainder of the season, as she had surgery on her left hand.

Saints statistics: Amanda Coveyou, 19 points, eight rebounds, seven blocked shots, two steals; Nicole Elmblad, 12 points, three rebounds; Marcie Rickley, eight points, five rebounds, four steals, two blocked shots; Jodie Langstaff, seven points, 10 rebounds, one blocked shot; Mallory LaLonde, four points, three rebounds, two steals; Kayla Gustin, two points, two assists; Melissa Massaway, two points, four rebounds; Kristen Olsen, one point, six assists.

Indians statistics: Colleen Hoy, 13 points; Caryn Ducsay, 11 points; Holly Brown, six points; Jamie Rushford, four points; Andrea Volz, three points; Joy Chang, two points.

The Saints host Rudyard Thursday, February 7, and Cedarville Wednesday, February 13.

Lakers Establish Winning Record With Weekend Victories

The Mackinac Island Lakers girls basketball team, for the first time this season, has established a winning record after a weekend sweep of the Grand Marais Polar Bears, 36-21 Friday, February 1, and 65-20 Saturday, February 2.

The Lakers, who now stand at 9-8 overall, were sluggish Friday, leading 9-2 after the first eight minutes, and 16-7 at halftime, said Lakers Coach Mary Paty.

Both teams scored 10 points in the third quarter for a 26-17 score before Mackinac Island outscored the Polar Bears 10-4 to earn the victory.

Lakers statistics: Marie Bunker, 12 points, nine rebounds, three steals, one block shot; Michi Mullings, seven points, nine rebounds, five steals; Jane Finkel, six points, eight steals, four rebounds; Maggie Chambers, four points, seven rebounds; Morgan Brodeur-Bunker, four points, two assists, two rebounds; Zhane Nash, seven rebounds.

Lakers Respond With

Strong Effort

The Lakers used its 10-8 firstquarter lead against Grand Marais to build momentum for the rest of Saturday's game.

Mackinac Island outscored Grand Marais 23-2 in the second quarter for a 33-10 halftime advantage, turning up the offensive heat with a 32-10 scoring run in the second half. Everyone on the team recorded at least one point.

"We played much better Saturday and it feels great to be over the 0.500 mark with our record," said Lakers Coach Patay. "We passed the ball much better this weekend."

Lakers statistics: Marie Bunker, 20 points, eight rebounds, five steals, four assists, two blocked shots; Michi Mullings (triple/double), 14 points, 17 rebounds, 11 steals; Morgan Brodeur/ Bunker, 12 points, nine steals, nine rebounds, four assists; Zhane Nash, nine points, seven rebounds; Jane Finkel, six points, three steals; Shelbie Mosley, two points, two steals, two rebounds, one blocked shot; Maggie Chambers, two points, four rebounds.

The Lakers will enjoy a break until hosting the Beaver Island Islanders Friday, February 15, and Saturday, February 16.

Pickford Girls Split Games With Blue Devils, Comets

The Pickford Panthers girls basketball team split two non-conference games last week, defeating the Mackinaw City Comets 55-12 Friday, February 1, and losing to the Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils 56-36 Wednesday, January 30.

The Panthers (7-9 overall) led 11-2 against the Comets (0-15 overall) and increased the lead to 26-6 at halftime. Pickford kept its scoring pace going, outscoring Mackinaw City 29-6 in the second half.

Panthers statistics: Jasmine Ledy, 12 points, four rebounds, four assists; Courtney Bruni, 11 points, 12 rebounds; Jenna Ledy, 10 points, six rebounds, three assists; Callie Smith, nine points, 11 rebounds; Alli Priskorn, seven points, 12 rebounds, three steals, three assists; Krista Esslin, four points, four assists; Rachel Schmitigal, two points; Abby Rose, five rebounds.

Comets statistics: Mollie Frye, six points; Kathleen La- Londe, Jessica Sefton, Taelar Steward, two points.

Second Half Downfall

for Panthers Against Sault

Pickford was strong for the first half, trailing 27-22, before the host Blue Devils outscored the Panthers 29-14 in the second half to post the non-league win.

Panthers statistics: Courtney Bruni, 12 points, seven rebounds; Jasmine Ledy, 10 points; Callie Smith, seven points; Melissa Kucharczyk, four points; Jenna Ledy, three points; Krista Esslin, five rebounds; Callie Smith, four rebounds.

Engadine Girls Win Pair

The Engadine Eagles girls basketball team defeated the Mid Peninsula Wolverines 47-30 in a non-conference game Saturday, February 2, and earned a Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference (EUPC) win after defeating the DeTour Raiders 54-27 Friday, February 1.

Eagles Down Wolverines The Eagles (3-4 in the EUPC, 10-5 overall) were in foul trouble in the first half, but responded with a strong effort to down Mid Peninsula.

Eagles statistics: Shannon Browning, 14 points, four rebounds; Lauren MacArthur, 11 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals; Elisa Hobbs, seven points, seven rebounds; Shauni Rutledge, seven points, three steals; Brenda Albrecht, five points; Kacie Rutledge, three points; Tristina Browning, four rebounds, four assists.

Eagles Upend Raiders in

EUPC Match-up

Engadine took a 15-2 lead after the first eight minutes and led 23- 11 at halftime after DeTour held a 9-8-scoring edge in the second quarter.

The Eagles built their lead to 37-19 after three quarters with a 14-8 scoring advantage, completing the league contest with a 17-8 scoring run in the final eight minutes.

Eagles statistics: Lauren Mac- Arthur, 24 points, seven steals, five rebounds, three blocked shots; Shannon Browning, 10 points, three assists; Shauni Rutledge, nine points, seven rebounds, four steals, four assists; Brenda Albrecht, six points; Kacie Rutledge, Tiajanna Sherbrook, two points; Elisa Hobbs, one point, 10 rebounds.

Raiders statistics: Jessie McClellan, 11 points; Morgan Fierek, seven points; Nicole Melcer, four points; Kiah Barbeaux, three points; Sabrina Tomlinson, two points.

GIRLS BASKETBALL STANDINGS

STRAITS AREA CONFERNCE

EASTERN UPPER PENINSULA CONF.