Jane Finkel Lakers Stay Perfect In NLL; Sweep Hannahville

The Mackinac Island Lakers girls basketball team kept their perfect record in the Northern Lights League (NLL) with a 4-0 record and improved to 6-2 overall after sweeping the Hannahville Soaring Eagles 50- 41 Friday, January 8, and notching a 48-36 decision Saturday, January 9.

In the conference game Friday night, the Lakers trailed 19-6 after the first eight minutes before outscoring the Soaring Eagles 18- 5 in the second quarter to send the game into halftime tied at 20.

"We stressed defense all week in practice, but in the first quarter we struggled on offense and defense. We settled down in the second quarter and stepped up the defense, made good passes, and rebounded well," said Lakers Coach Mary Patay.

Mackinac Island held a 16-12- scoring edge in the third quarter for a 40-36 advantage and closed out the game with a 10-5 margin.

Marie Bunker Lakers statistics: Marie Bunker, 14 points, five rebounds; Morgan Brodeur-Bunker, 13 points, six rebounds, nine steals, four assists; Jane Finkel, 12 points, five assists, five steals; Zhan’e Nash, seven points, 17 rebounds, five steals; Maggie Chambers, four points, four rebounds.

Nine Players Score

Nine players scored in the Lakers non-conference win Saturday morning.

The coaches had agreed to play starters in the first and fourth quarters only.

"It was a good decision that allowed everyone to play," added the Lakers coach.

Mackinac Island led 17-6 after the first eight minutes and a 26-16-halftime advantage before the Lakers held a 22-20-scoring edge in the second half to record the win.

Lakers statistics: Marie Bunker, 15 points, five rebounds, three steals; Jane Finkel, 10 points, two assists, two steals; Maggie Chambers, six points, two rebounds; Shelbie Mosley, five points, four rebounds, two steals; Jessica Beaune, four points, two steals, two assists; Hailey Armstrong and Halee Tokarz, two points, two rebounds; Adrienne Rilenge, two points.

Thomas Rilenge Mackinac Island and Beaver Island are undefeated in the NLL and the Island schools will battle Friday, February 5, and Saturday, February 6, at Beaver Island and will play February 19 and February 20 on Mackinac Island.

The Lakers will travel to Pickford to battle Maplewood Baptist Academy Saturday, January 16.

Lakers Fall to Hannahville

The Mackinac Island Lakers, who will be short-handed for the remainder of the season after losing Tymon Horn with a knee injury, fell to the Hannahville Soaring Eagles 54-53 Friday, January 8, and 46-31 Saturday, January 9.

The Lakers trailed 13-2 after the first eight minutes Friday and cut the Hannahville lead to 27-19 at halftime with a 17-14-scoring edge in the second quarter.

Mackinac Island continued their comeback in the NLL contest and took a 36-32 lead after three quarters with a 17-5 advantage before the Soaring Eagles outscored the Lakers 22-17 in the final eight minutes to clinch the one-point win.

Lakers statistics: Thomas Rilenge, 25 points; Paul Fisher, 17 points; Tyler Joseph, six points; Anthony Rickley, three points, Collin Armstrong, two points.

In the non-conference game Saturday, Hannahville led 29-9 at halftime before the Lakers held a 22-16 advantage in the second half.

Lakers statistics: Thomas Rilenge, 14 points; Collin Armstrong, nine points; Paul Fisher, four points; Tyler Joseph and Todd Fridline, two points.

Lakers Split

With Grand Marais

The Mackinac Island Lakers split with Grand Marais before the holiday break, defeating the Polar Bears 51-41 Friday, December 18, and losing the second contest 52- 50 Saturday, December 19.

Lakers first game statistics: Tymon Horn, 19 points; Thomas Rilenge, 16 points; Paul Fisher, 12 points; Collin Armstrong, four points.

Lakers second game statistics: Thomas Rilenge, 21 points; Paul Fisher, 18 points; Tymon Horn, seven points; Collin Armstrong, four points.