Posen wins, despite a huge second half push by Fairview
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
The Posen girls? basketball team won a wild one in their first home appearance of the season. They knocked off the defending North Star League (NSL) champs, Fairview, 58-54, but it was an emotional rollercoaster ride for players, coaches and fans. Fairview had graduated a bulk of their talent from last year?s title team. Don?t tell the Eagles it is supposed to be a down year, though.
A clutch three-pointer by Tina Mulka with the score 54-54, and a free throw by Victoria Wozniak, who led Posen in scoring with 15 points, sealed the victory. It foiled Fairview?s comeback attempt as they went on a 19-0 tear at the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth.
THE VIKINGS improve to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the NSL. They knocked off Au Gres last Friday in a low-scoring contest, 38-27. Even though the girls played their first four on the road, they went 3-1. Up next is state-ranked Twining Arenac Eastern on the home floor tomorrow (Friday) night.
?We didn?t take good care of the ball in the second half and that?s my responsibility,? said head coach Karl Momrik. ?Arenac is the top team in the league. They are ranked in Class D. I just saw a video of their last game and they are going to be really tough. We have to play better to beat that team.?
The game was tight through one quarter with Fairview coming out of the first eight minutes with a slim two point lead. The Vikings took control with a 23-3 stand in the second. The halftime lead was 34-16.
The girls padded the lead and got it to as many as 20 with two minutes left in the third, before Fairview started their comeback efforts. They scored 11 straight before the end of the quarter and eight more to open the fourth.
KAYLA WEAVER, who had a game-high 31 points, 24 of which were scored in the second half, led Fairview. She also had 16 rebounds.
The visitors still could never get the lead, and at 54-all, Mulka drained another key shot to finish the night with 12. Nicole Purol added nine.
At Au Gres last Friday, the Vikings pulled away in
Lindsey Bartz had eight.
The Arenac game will be the last before the Christmas break. They open the new year at Hale, January 9.
THE J.V. (3-2, 2-1) won both of their games during the last week. They defeated Fairview 44-21 and Au Gres, 30-21.
Paige Lewandowski was the leading scorer at Au Gres with 13, while LeAnn Strzelecki put in 12.
In Tuesday?s home win, Strzelecki had 16. Emily Delekta tossed in nine. Coach Gary Bisson said he has nine players, who work extremely hard every time they take the floor.