Shimel sets trifecta mark as Cards cruise over Forest Area

Kallie Shimel set a new school record as the Onaway High School varsity girls’ basketball team improved to 12-4 (9-4 Ski Valley Conference) Tuesday with a 54-19 win over the visiting Forest Area Warriors.

Onaway scored the game’s first 14 points and never looked back. Two Megan Estep free throws opened the scoring for the home team. Kallie Shimel then scored on an offensive rebound and hit a long three.

The three-pointer was the 88th of Shimel’s stellar OHS career, setting a new school record and breaking the former mark of 87 set by Leslie Winfield a dozen years earlier.

Ashley LeCureux stole a pass and drove to the hoop, then connected on a three of her own. A basket by Devin Bristley, on an assist from Shimel, put the Cards up 14-0.

After the Warriors scored, Bristley hit a three while being fouled, and hit the free throw to complete the four-point play. After Temara Lupu made a foul shot, Erika Price scored on an offensive board to make it 21-2 after one quarter.

Megan Estep and Mariah Ehrke scored to open period two, stretching the lead to 25-2, and Onaway led 27-5 at the half. A Shimel three (her 89th) stretched the edge to 34-5, and a pair of baskets by Price made it 45-9.

Onaway led 45-13 through three quarters, and consecutive baskets by Shimel and a hoop by Price made it 54-15 – a point short of forcing the mercy-rule running clock.

Shimel finished with 12 points to lead Onaway. Price scored nine points, while Bristley and LeCureux scores even apiece. Nine of the 10 Cardinals to dress for the game reached the scoring column.

Earlier in the evening, the OHS JV improved to 12-4 with a 47-23 win over Forest Area.

Onaway led 15-6 after one quarter, 25-14 at the half, and 42-18 through three frames. Lexi Szymoniak had 16 points, while Elise Arkwood had 14.

Last Thursday, the varsity Cardinals defeated host Inland Lakes, 38-32. Onaway led 12-9 after one period, 20-15 at the half, and 26-19 through three quarters. Shimel scored 12 points, Lupu scored eight, and Emily Estep scored seven.

Earlier, the Onaway JV defeated the Bulldogs, 55-19. The Cards led 11-1 after one quarter, 23-5 at the half, and 46-11 through three periods. Szymoniak and Morganne Badgero scored 14 points apiece, while Shelby Wolgast scored 12.

The girls were scheduled to travel to Pellston yesterday (Thursday) and will host Rogers City on Tuesday in the home finale for the Cardinal seniors. The Cards are scheduled to travel to Bellaire next Thursday.