The Trojans’ Zach McFarlane (34) scores two first-half points against St. Ignace Tuesday, December 8. Cedarville High School’s quest to defend the Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference championship got off on the right foot and Coach Dave Duncan earned his 300th career win as his Trojans defeated the Pickford Panthers 79- 62 during a road contest Thursday, December 10.

"We are taking baby steps and will improve with this group of athletes," said Coach Duncan. "We received good balance on the offensive side and played strong defense."

The Trojans, 1-1 on the season, outscored the Panthers 0-2 in every quarter, including a 22-12 margin after the first eight minutes and held a 15-14 scoring edge in the second quarter for a 37-26 halftime advantage.

Cedarville continued to build with a 19-16 margin in the third quarter to build a 56-42 lead, finishing the game with a 23-20 score in the final eight minutes.

Trojans statistics: Andrew Jaroche, 26 points, four assists; Conner McLeod, 17 points, 11 rebounds, five steals; Jordan Baker, 12 points, six rebounds; Tyler Kanitz, 10 points, six rebounds, five assists; Matt Schlosser, seven points; Zach McFarlane, three points, five rebounds; Trent Pitko and Mitchell Fultz, two points.

Panthers statistics: Mckinley Portice, 33 points; Jacob Eddy, 14 points; Dylan Rye and Nathan Gregg, six points; Josh Reid, two points; Issac Leach, one point.

Bays Edge Eagles

in EUPC Opener

Brimley held a 10-point scoring advantage in the third quarter to boost the host Bays to a 67-63 Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference win over the Engadine Eagles at the Karl Parker Gymnasium Thursday, December 10.

"We stepped up our defense in the third quarter and battled back," said Bays Coach Matt Bathey.

Engadine, 0-1, led 20-11 after the first eight minutes before Brimley held a 19-13 margin in the second quarter to cut the Eagles lead to 33-30 at halftime.

Brimley, 1-1 on the season, outscored Engadine 21-11 in the third quarter to take a 51-44 lead before the Eagles sliced the final score to four points with a 19-16 edge in the final eight minutes.

"This was our first game, but I did see some positive things,” said Eagles Coach Elmer Albright.

Bays statistics: Kyle Root, 18 points, 18 rebounds; Ty Root, 17 points, 10 rebounds; Dylan Graham, 14 points, six rebounds, four assists; Jared Parish, eight points, five rebounds; Dylan Schraeder, six points, five steals; Keith Swendsen and Donnie Lewis, two points.

Eagles statistics: Phillip Hood, 26 points, eight rebounds, seven steals; Michael Klobucher, 12 points, six rebounds; Conner Frisch, 12 points; Tyler Bennett and Johnny Miller, four points; Michael Ramelis, three points; Joey Swider, two points.

Bulldogs Breeze Past Bays Five players scored in double figures for Coach Grant Ross to said Bulldogs Coach Grant Ross. “This was also a typical Rudyard, St. Ignace contest."

The Saints, 1-1 on the season and 0-1 in the SAC, held a 63-62 lead with 28 seconds left in the game before the Bulldogs made one free throw to the tie the game. Clark scored the winning shot with three seconds on the clock.

"We had a chance to win," said Saints Coach Jason Marshall. "We have played well in the first two games against quality opponents."

Rudyard, 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the league, led 19-11 after the first quarter, but the Saints cut the Bulldogs lead to 30-26 with a 15-11 advantage in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs held a 17-15- scoring edge in the third quarter for a 47-41 advantage before the Saints closed the final score to two with a 22-18 offensive run in the final eight minutes.

St. Ignace outscored Rudyard 61-54 from the field, but the Bulldogs iced the win with an 11- 2 advantage from the free throw line.

Bulldogs statistics: Scott Coffey, 18 points, nine rebounds; Arik Hesselink, 16 points, 14 rebounds, six assists; Davin Salo, 12 points, four rebounds; Ben Harter, seven points, four rebounds; Drew Otten, six points, four rebounds; Jared Clark, six points, six rebounds.

Saints statistics: Gerrit Mortensen, 23 points, nine assists, six rebounds, two steals; Cole Christiansen, 13 points, four steals; Austin St. Louis, 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals; Kevin Guillard, nine points; Evan Everson, six points; Grant Simmons, two points, five rebounds.