Hematites handle host Mountaineers 76-48; Knights stay perfect with victory over FP
Iron Mountain hoopster Bella Pickett (23) tries to wrestle the basketball away from Ishpeming’s Jenessa Eagle (0) during Tuesday night’s West Pac Conference game at Mountaineer Gym. The visiting Hematites won the girls varsity basketball clash 76-48. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)
Mountaineer Emma Ellis (10) works to deny a pass into the post for Ishpeming’s Jenna Maki (1) during Monday night’s girls varsity basketball game at Iron Mountain High School. Iron Mountain was able to stay close early, but the Hematites pulled away for the win in the battle between the two West Pac Conference rivals. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)
Iron Mountain hoopster Bella Pickett (23) tries to wrestle the basketball away from Ishpeming’s Jenessa Eagle (0) during Tuesday night’s West Pac Conference game at Mountaineer Gym. The visiting Hematites won the girls varsity basketball clash 76-48. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)
Mountaineer Emma Ellis (10) works to deny a pass into the post for Ishpeming’s Jenna Maki (1) during Monday night’s girls varsity basketball game at Iron Mountain High School. Iron Mountain was able to stay close early, but the Hematites pulled away for the win in the battle between the two West Pac Conference rivals. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)
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IRON MOUNTAIN - Jenna Maki scored 26 points and Janessa Eagle finished with 20 to lead Ishpeming to a 76-48 victory over Iron Mountain in a West Pac Conference contest Tuesday at Mountaineer Gym.
The Mountaineers stayed close with Ishpeming (8-4) in the first quarter, trailing 17-11 heading into the second period. But the Hematites used their pressing defense and 13 points from Maki to take a 42-23 lead into the break.
"We started the game strong, but a few missed shots in the second quarter with no second chances combined with a few turnovers (hurt us)," IM girls varsity basketball coach Karen Ellis said. "Their length in their press really gave us trouble. Ishpeming capitalized on it with (3-pointers) and ran with it."
Iron Mountain (0-10) played competitively in the second half, but by then the damage had been done.
"Maki and Eagle are great players who rarely miss, and even though (Mya) Hemmer only had six points, she really messed up our inside game with her defense," Ellis said.
Emma Ellis and Anja Kleiman paced the Mountaineers with 12 points each, while Emily Copley added 11.
The Mountaineers host Westwood (2-7) on Wednesday.
KNIGHTS 56, LADY TROJANS 24
NORWAY -- Senior Andi Carlson scored 17 points and hauled down 13 rebounds as Division 4 second-ranked Norway stayed unbeaten with a 56-24 victory over Forest Park in a Skyline Central Conference ballgame at Norway High School.
The Knights (13-0) grabbed control from the start, taking a 16-2 lead after the first quarter. Norway then outscored the Lady Trojans (3-9) 31-12 over the next two periods to hold a 47-14 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
Paytan Carlson finished with eight points, Lauren Adams posted seven points, four assists and three steals and Hannah Burklund also finished four assists in addition to five points.
Forest Park was led by sophomore Lilly Post who scored 10 points. Elsie Williams recorded seven points and six rebounds, while Ava Fischer topped the Lady Trojans in rebounds with seven.
"Overall, we did better handling the press compared to our first meeting with Norway," FP coach Kim Bjork said. "We played too fast at times and that's when we made our turnovers.
"Scoring in the half court was a struggle for us and when we got to the (free-throw) line, we didn't capitalize (3 for 19). Norway is a good team; they are aggressive on both ends of the floor."
The Knights completed their back-to-back sets with Iron County teams Tuesday night when they hosted West Iron County (6-5). The Lady Trojans will entertain fourth-ranked Carney-Nadeau (10-2) on Jan. 30.
BADGERS 64, RANGERS 38
WAUSAUKEE, Wis. -- The Niagara Badgers made the trip to Wausaukee a good one by bringing back an impressive 64-38 win over the host Rangers in a battle between the two Marinette & Oconto Conference foes Monday night.
The Badgers (11-4 overall, 8-2 conference) took control early, leading 37-15 at the intermission, and never looked back. Niagara continued to outgun the Rangers (4-10 overall, 3-7 conference) in the second half 27-23.
Badger Josie Rock exploded for a game-high 23 points, with Morgan Borchardt hitting for 12 points.
Also chipping in for Niagara were Mallory Sanicki with nine points, Erin Lukowicz with eight points, Samantha Oratch with four points, Keira Maki and Alivia Kleikamp both with four points, and Abby Wells with two points.