The Saints’ Samantha Radecki splits the defense in the win over Rogers City Friday, February 5. ‘Saints Express’ Rolls

To 12-1 Record With Wins

The St. Ignace Saints express has rolled to a 12-1 overall record and 5-0 in the Straits Area Conference (SAC) after a 72-45 non-league road win over the Manistique Emeralds Wednesday, February 3, and a 67-25 SAC decision against the Rogers City Hurons Friday, February 5.

Saints Down Emeralds

The Saints completed their fourgame road swing with a 23-11 lead after the first eight minutes at Manistique and increased the margin to 40-19 at halftime with a 17-8 advantage in the second quarter.

St. Ignace outscored the Emeralds 32-26 in the second half that included 16-11 in the third quarter and 16-15 in the final eight minutes.

The game at Rudyard that was scheduled for Thursday, January 28, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 17.

Kristina Heilman (32) of Mackinaw City brings the ball past halfcourt, defended by the Raiders’ Abby Stocking (14). Saints statistics: Nicole Elmblad, 27 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, five steals, two blocked shots; Grace Wheeler, 14 points, four assists, three steals; Chelsea Swope, 11 points, six rebounds, three steals; Kristen Olsen, seven points, five rebounds, three steals; Samantha Radecki, four points, three steals; Mallory LaLonde, three points, three rebounds; Emily Hepker, two points, three rebounds, two steals; Katy La- Tour, two points, two steals, two rebounds; Anna St. Andrew, two points.

St. Ignace Honors Firemen;

Saints Remain Perfect in SAC

The Saints athletic department honored the five area fire departments from St. Ignace, Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island, Brevort Township, and Clark Township that battled a fire in downtown St. Ignace Wednesday, January 6, before the varsity game against Rogers City. More than 25 of the firemen honored are graduates of LaSalle High School.

The Saints’ Emily Hepker (54) scored this first-half field goal in the win over the Rogers City Hurons Friday, February 5. The Saints struggled with their shooting during the game, as more than six shots went in and out during the first eight minutes, but St. Ignace was able to build a 14-4 lead and outscored the Hurons 22-9 in the second quarter for a 36-13-halftime advantage.

Nicole Elmblad scored 17 firsthalf points and Mallory LaLonde chipped in with seven for the Saints.

St. Ignace continued to dominate, outscoring Rogers City 31-12 in the second half that included a running clock during the final 12 minutes of the game.

The Saints’ Nicole Elmblad (4) led the Saints with a double/ double, scoring 26 points and hauling down 12 rebounds in the win over Rogers City Friday, February 5. Eight players scored for the Saints. Valuable playing time was gained by the 10 players in preparation for the upcoming tournaments.

"We continue to play well as a team and that is important," said Saints Coach Dorene Ingalls.

Saints statistics: Nicole Elmblad, 26 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, three steals; Grace Wheeler, 11 points, seven rebounds, four steals, two assists; Mallory La- Londe, seven points, three steals; Kristen Olsen, six points, six rebounds, three steals, three assists; Katy LaTour, five points, three rebounds; Chelsea Swope, four points, six rebounds; Emily Hepker, four points, three steals; Samantha Radecki, three points, three rebounds, three steals, three assists, Anna St. Andrew, three rebounds; Mikaela Kelly, two assists.

Kiah Barbeaux, of DeTour, scores on this short jumper over Kim Jaenicke (34) during the Raiders non-conference victory over the Mackinaw City Comets Monday, February 1. Barbeaux scored 17 points, including three consecutive triples in the first quarter. Saints JV Team Downs Hurons

The St. Ignace Saints junior varsity defeated the Rogers City Hurons 44-36 Friday, February 5.

Saints statistics: Kayla Fulgenzi, 15 points; Sarah Cullip, eight points; Taylor Becker, Lauren Goldhorpe, Alexa Thibault, and Samantha Gugin, four points; Sophie Peters, two points. Raiders Breeze Past Comets

In Non-League Match-up

As DeTour coach Sarah Adams was celebrating her birthday Monday, February 1, the Raiders girls basketball team presented her with a 64-16 non-conference road win over the Mackinaw City Comets.

At left: Rayne Miller, the 17- month-old daughter of Traci and Craig Miller of DeTour, was the youngest fan to watch as her sister, Bailey Miller, and the Raiders girls varsity basketball team defeated the Mackinaw City Comets 64-16 Monday, February 1. "We had a balanced effort and everyone played well, except for Katie Tominac, who is out for the rest of the season," said Coach Adams. DeTour junior Tominac will be unable to play for the remainder of the season for health reasons.

Three players scored in double figures as the Raiders raced out to a 14-0 lead at the 3:05 mark as Kiah Barbeaux scored 13 points that included three consecutive triples and closed the first eight minutes with two field goals for an 18-3 DeTour lead.

The Raiders increased their lead to 32-10 with a 14-8-scoring edge in the second quarter and outscored the Comets 32-6 in the second half that included 2-4 in third quarter and 12-2 in the running clock final eight minutes.

Melissa Stevenson Pickford Raiders statistics: Darci Wilson, 21 points; Kiah Barbeaux, 17 points; Nicole Melcer, 14 points; Bailey Miller, six points; Abby Stocking, four points; Jessie Kelleghan, two points.

Comets statistics: Kim Jaenicke, six points; Jennifer Jaenicke, four points; Kristina Heilman, Jessica Sefton, and Sarah Rogala, two points.

Raiders Outlast Comets

in JV Game

In the battle between two 10-2 teams, the visiting DeTour Raiders outlasted the Mackinaw City Comets 53-47 Monday, February 1.

Raiders statistics: Nicole Bouwma, 15 points; Sydnie Mickelson and Alyssa Anderson, 12 points; Rachel Hoffman, eight points; Jennifer Brady, four points; Shawnee Mills, two points.

Kacie Rutledge Engadine "We are playing well with a young team that includes three eighth graders, three freshmen, and three sophomores," said Raiders Coach Josh Adams.

Comets statistics: Hailee Paquet, 20 points; Courtney Wallis, 13 points; Tierney Bell, Cassie LaLonde, and Kiara Zynewicz, four points; Claudia Alexander, two points.

"The Mackinaw City junior varsity has had a total turnaround as two years ago the team went 0-16," said Comets Coach Aaron Grant.

Panthers 12-4 After Wins

Over Raiders, Tigers

The Pickford Panthers improved to 6-0 in the Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference (EUPC) and 12-4 overall after defeating the DeTour Raiders 52-47 in a road league game Thursday, February 4, and the Lincoln-Alcona Tigers 70-27 during a home non-conference contest Saturday, February 6.

Hope Wittmus Cedarville "We had a wake-up call at DeTour," said Panthers Coach Paul Griffin. "We went back to basics and the effort paid off against Lincoln-Alcona."

The Panthers, leaders in the EUPC, have two league games remaining on their schedule with home contest against Engadine Thursday, February 18, and at Brimley Thursday, February 25.

At DeTour, both teams scored eight points in the first eight minutes before the Panthers took a 22- 13-halftime advantage with a 14-margin in the second quarter.

Pickford held a 16-14-scoring edge in the third quarter, but DeTour outscored the Panthers 20- 14 in the final eight minutes.

Panthers statistics: Justine Hatfield, 17 points; Jenna Ledy, 14 points; Kristen Cline, seven points; Callie Smith and Abbie Andrzejak, five points each; Kelcie Brown and Olivia Smith, two points.

Becca Carruthers Brimley Raiders statistics: Kiah Barbeaux, 14 points; Nicole Melcer, 10 points; Darci Wilson, nine points; Abby Stocking, six points; Ashlyn Bosley, two points. Panthers Claw Tigers

The Panthers bounced back after a disappointing game at De- Tour to down the Tigers.

Pickford raced to a 22-9 lead after the first eight minutes and held a 30-15-advantage at halftime.

The Panthers outscored the Tigers 31-5 in the third quarter and closed out the contest with a 9-7- scoring edge in the final eight minutes.

Panthers statistics: Justine Hatfield, 15 points; Callie Smith and Kristen Cline, 10 points each; Jenna Ledy, nine points; Melissa Stevenson, eight points; Olivia Smith, seven points; Abbie Andrzejak, six points; Kelcie Brown, five points. Rutledge Scores Career

Crystal Brownlee Rudyard High 27 Points in Win

Over Wolverines Junior Kacie Rutledge scored a double/double that included a career high 27 points and added 11 rebounds to lift the Engadine Eagles to a 70-33 non-conference road win over the Mid Peninsula Wolverines Saturday, February 6.

Both teams scored 12 points in the first eight minutes before the Eagles took control with a 19-10 margin in the second quarter for a 31-22 score in the second quarter.

Engadine, 10-6 overall, dominated the second half with a 39-11 offensive advantage that included 23-6 in the third quarter and 16-5 in the final eight minutes.

"We played better defense in the second half," said Eagles Coach Dave McNeil. "We changed defenses after halftime and that was the difference."

Eagles remaining statistics: Morgan MacArthur, 22 points; Krista Metcalf, 17 points; Elisa Hobbs, two points, six rebounds; Lynzee Bigelow and Leah Blanchard, one point.

Jessica Beaune Mackinac Island Eagles Down Trojans

In EUPC Match-up

The Engadine Eagles used a strong third quarter to down the Cedarville Trojans 61-51 during a home Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference (EUPC) Thursday, February 4.

The Eagles, 2-4 in the EUPC, led 11-8 after the first eight minutes and held a 13-11-scoring edge in the second quarter for a 24-19-halftime margin.

Engadine took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Trojans 21-12 to increase their lead to 45-31 before Cedarville closed out the game with a 20-16 advantage in the final eight minutes.

Eagles statistics: Elisa Hobbs, career high 17 points, nine rebounds; Krista Metcalf, 18 points; Morgan MacArthur, 10 points; Kacie Rutledge, eight points; Kayla Miller, six points; Lynzee Bigelow, two points.

Trojans statistics: Hope Wittmus, 16 points; Kharizma Labinski, 12 points; Jillian Collins, 11 points; Chelsea Grove, eight points; Mary Eberts, four points.

Eagles Drop Non-League

Game to Cougars

The Engadine Eagles were outscored 35-13 in the combined second and fourth quarters en route to a 60-44 road non-league setback at the hands of Superior Central Cougars Monday, February 1.

Engadine held a 15-14-scoring edge after the first eight minutes before Superior Central outscored the Eagles 16-5 in the second quarter for a 30-20-halftime lead.

The Eagles cut the Cougars led to 41-36 with a 16-11 advantage in the third quarter before Superior Central completed the contest with a 19-8 score in the final eight minutes.

Eagles statistics: Kacie Rutledge, 12 points, 13 rebounds; Morgan MacArthur and Krista Metcalf, 12 points; Kayla Miller, six points; Elisa Hobbs, two points.

Bays Down Bulldogs In

Non-league Match-ups

The Brimley Bays posted nonconference wins over the Rudyard Bulldogs, 64-48, during a road game Tuesday, February 2.

Middle Quarters Key To Bays’ Win Over Bulldogs

The Bays outscored the Bulldogs 34-19 in the combined second and third quarters en route to the win.

The Bays held a 13-12-scoring edge after the first eight minutes and outscored the Bulldogs 20-10 in the second quarter for a 33-22-halftime lead.

Brimley increased their lead to 47-31 with a 14-9 margin in the third quarter before both teams scored 17 points in the final eight minutes.

Bays statistics: Jessica Graham, 22 points; Stephanie Lynn, 11 points; Shelby Leapley, nine points; Lynnette Carrick, eight points; Cassie Wilcox, six points; Whitney Frazier, four points; Becca Carruther, two points; Cortney Wilson and Sydney Beaune, one point.

Bulldogs statistics: Emily Jeffreys, game high 28 points; Leah Jarvie, eight points, Rebecca Malaski, six points; Crystal Brownlee, three points; Abbie La- Pointe, two points; Leah Wallis, one point.

Mackinac Island Girls

Drop First League Game

The Mackinac Island girls basketball team dropped their first Northern Lights League to the Beaver Island Islanders 42-35 during a road game Friday, February 5, and were edged out 40-38 Saturday, February 6.

Beaver Island led 26-15 at halftime before the Lakers cut the final margin to seven points with a 20- 16-scoring edge in the second half.

Lakers statistics: Morgan Brodeur-Bunker, 10 points, seven steals, five rebounds, five assists; Zhan’e Nash, eight points, nine rebounds, four steals, two blocked shots; Jane Finkel, seven points, three rebounds; Maggie Chambers, six points, five steals, five rebounds, one blocked shot; Marie Bunker, four points, seven rebounds, six steals, five assists.

On Saturday, the Lakers let a seven-point lead after three quarters slip away as the Islanders outscored Mackinac Island 16-7.

Lakers statistics: Morgan Brodeur-Bunker, 13 points, four steals; Zhan’e Nash, 10 points, 14 rebounds, four steals, two blocks, two assists; Marie Bunker, seven points, six rebounds, three steals; Maggie Chambers, four points, eight rebounds, three steals; Jessica Beaune, four points, eight rebounds, three steals, two assists.

The Lakers will travel to Hannahville to battle the Soaring Eagles Friday, February 12, and Saturday, February 13, and entertain Beaver Island during the final weekend series of the season Friday, February 19, and Saturday, February 20.