SPORTSBEAT by Peter Jakey: A game-saving confidence booster

What a finish for the Huron girls? basketball team in Monday night?s basketball debut on the home floor. Amanda Lenard?s three-pointer, which rattled in with .01 second left, extended the game long enough for the girls to get a win against Inland Lakes (I.L.) in overtime. Monday also saw the coaching debut of Emily McLean, who starred on the courts and diamond for Rogers City at the beginning of this decade. It wasn?t what was being talked about at the water cooler Tuesday morning in Rogers City. It was Lenard?s three-pointer. It?s probably the way the rookie coach would prefer it. The key to the game-saving play was solid passing and hustle in the final moments to pull a victory from the jaws of defeat.

TO SET THE table, I.L. had control of the scoreboard in the fourth quarter and took a 43-40 lead into the final moments. The girls executed an inbound play to perfection to set things into motion. Greta Grambau inbounded the ball to Leanne Knopf, who quickly passed it to Lenard on the right wing. Knopf moved to the low post, while Grambau stealthily slid out beyond the three-point arc and was absolutely wide open on the shot. The closest defender was on Lenard, who put a token hand to defend the shot. It was far too late. The shot missed the mark and was rebounded by I.L., but it was Lenard?s quick reactions that saved the game.

Lenard was at the free throw line and anticipated a clearing pass by moving quickly to her left to grab the pass and get behind the arc for one last try at the tie. I don?t even think a radio announcer could keep up with that play it happened so quickly. The ball took a Huron bounce as it hopped around the rim, before falling through. The officials put a tick a time on the clock for the Bulldogs, but the game was destined for overtime where the girls took their play up a notch. Schuiteman?s steal and subsequent three by Sam Hall took the rest of the air out of I.L.

IT WAS good victory for the program, not only because it was wi

n No. 1 of the season and for a new coach, but it was something to build on. The victory was no fluke. Lenard?s shot, and the play that led to it, had some luck working Rogers City?s way, but the Hurons worked hard throughout and should have had this one put away much earlier than overtime. There were players getting good passes, with open looks and yet failing to convert, especially in close.

Those are some things to work on as the season continues. It?s always a nice position to be in as a coach. This opening column of the season could have easily have been about the new coach. I?m really glad it wasn?t.

When McLean played softball at Ferris State University, the song that was played when she strode to the plate was Nelly?s ?Here Comes the Boom.? It was nice to have her Hurons steal some of her thunder on opening night.