Petoskey girls drop to Sault, Mackinaw City caps fifth straight unbeaten NLC title
SAULT STE. MARIE — Over their last handful of games, the Petoskey girls’ basketball team hasn’t had much issues with finding the bottom of the basket.
But, in a Monday trip to Sault Ste. Marie, the Northmen had some offensive woes arrive that resulted in a 36-20 loss to the Blue Devils.
Petoskey didn’t find double-digits in any quarter and fell for the first time in five games, dropping to 13-8 overall on the season. Sault Ste. Marie improved to 16-2 overall.
It also came as a second loss against Sault Ste. Marie this season, with the first going to the Blue Devils in a 60-49 final in Petoskey.
The Sault led 13-12 in a low scoring first half, then pulled ahead 28-17 following the third.
Caroline Guy led Petoskey with eight points, Caitlyn Matelski had three points, 10 rebounds and three steals, while Grayson Guy scored four.
For the Sault, Claire Erickson led the way with 15 points and Laura Innerebner scored nine.
While it’s a tough loss late in the season, a big regular season finale awaits Petoskey on Friday, Feb. 24 on the road in Traverse City.
Petoskey will meet the Trojans of TC Central in a Big North Conference title game, with the winner earning an outright title. Both currently sit at 8-1 within the league.
It comes as varsity doubleheader, with the girls starting things off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the varsity boys.
NORTHERN LAKES
Mackinaw City 102, Alanson 23
ALANSON — While they clinched the Northern Lakes Conference on Friday night, the Mackinaw City girls’ basketball team put a final stamp on the league title Monday with a 102-23 victory at Alanson.
It comes as a fifth consecutive undefeated conference title for Mackinaw City and moved them to 61-0 over that five-year stretch within the league.
“The work and level of commitment to achieve this type of run is tremendous,” Mackinaw coach Jake Huffman said. “This group of girls have done all the right things over the last four years along with having leadership from previous classes to build and sustain this run. I am so proud of these girls and everyone of the girls I have coached over the last four years to sustain the level of play we have sustained within our conference.”
The Comets also improved to 20-1 overall and 12-0 in NLC action.
Mackinaw City led 39-5 after one, then 70-12 at the half, though Huffman knows good things await a young Alanson team down the line.
“Coach Nikki Leech has done a great job with the Alanson program, and she has her team moving in the right direction,” said Huffman. “The Vikings are headed towards becoming a conference contender in the next couple of seasons.”
Gracie Beauchamp led Mackinaw with 27 points, nine assists and six steals, Madison Smith had 27 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, Marlie Postula scored 18 and had five rebounds and Larissa Huffman had 16 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds. Julia Sullivan also had 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Mackinaw City (20-1, 12-0 NLC) will next welcome in Engadine on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
NON-CONFERENCE
Bellaire 17, East Jordan 13
EAST JORDAN — It was a tough night out for the East Jordan girls’ basketball team Monday when they welcomed in Bellaire and took a 17-13 loss.
The Red Devils struggled to find the hoop throughout, scoring just three points in the first half, though they also held Bellaire to just five in a 5-3 halftime deficit.
Lindsey Cross led EJ with seven points and June Kirkpatrick had four.
East Jordan (8-13) next welcomes in Central Lake on Thursday, Feb. 23.
BOYS BASKETBALL
LAKE MICHIGAN
Bellaire 78, East Jordan 58
EAST JORDAN — A skid for the East Jordan boys’ basketball team grew to six games Monday when the Red Devils welcomed in Bellaire and took a 78-58 loss.
Bellaire led 17-16 after a tight first, then 30-25 at the half, before a 21-12 advantage for the Eagles put the Red Devils in a big hole entering the fourth.
“That’s a top end team in the Ski Valley and a pretty solid team,” east Jordan coach Nate Dzwik said of Bellaire. They do a lot of things well. It came down to the third quarter for us, but the kids are working hard. We’ve tried a bunch of things, we just have to get it figured out.”
Lucas Stone led with 18 points for EJ, Devon Olstrom had 14 points and seven rebounds and Brendan Aenis had 12 points.
East Jordan (4-14) next heads to Harbor Springs Tuesday, then brings in Boyne City on Friday, Feb. 24.
Charlevoix 47, Kalkaska 39
CHARLEVOIX — The second win over Kalkaska and second LMC victory of the season came for the Charlevoix boys’ basketball team Monday in a 47-39 final.
“We moved the ball well and knocked down some shots to start the second quarter and extended the lead, but the key was our defense and rebounding during that stretch,” Charlevoix coach Anthony Troshak said. “We were able to keep them one-and-done and convert on the offensive end. I'm happy for the guys, they deserve it. They play hard, they're resilient and I'm proud of them.”
Charlevoix led in an 11-9 game after one, then 27-14 at the half and 34-25 following three.
Joe Gaffney led with 16 points, Troy Nickel and Peyton Scott each scored seven and Max Dixon also had seven rebounds and brought the energy on the night.
Charlevoix (3-16, 2-11 LMC) next welcomes in Elk Rapids on Friday, Feb. 24 for an LMC showdown.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey girls drop to Sault, Mackinaw City caps fifth straight unbeaten NLC title
