Onekama vs. Mason County Eastern   – Game 5
January 8, 2010

The Portagers hosted the Cardinals of Mason County Eastern in their first game of 2010.  We were a little nervous going into the game as most of the team remembered playing the Cardinals last year in which we lost 3 hard fought games to them.  Expectations were high and this game would prove to live up to another hard fought battle between both teams.

The Portagers found it hard to put up points in the first and third quarters which proved to be a serious factor in the outcome of the game.  We finished the first quarter on only a free throw and the third with only a field goal.  The second and fourth quarters there was more life and we put up a total of 24 points.  Defense was still strong for the Portagers, but the Cardinals took advantage of a height disadvantage with their post play and pulled out the win with a score of 32-27. 

Go Portagers!

Scoring was limited to only 3 of the Portagers.  Danielle led the way with 11 points and Lindsay finished with 10 points.  Nicki added the final 6 points.  We put up a good amount of shots, but just couldn’t get enough of them to fall.

Defensively, Danielle led the way in rebounding with 5 offensive boards and 7 defensive.  Nicki led the team in defensive rebounding with 9 total.  Kaylan and Lindsay finished with 3 rebounds and Kelly added 2.  Nicki led the way in steals with 3 and Danielle finished with 2.  Lindsay and Kelly also each had a steal.

Unfortunately this was a bump in the road for us and gave us our first loss of the season, but we will put it behind us and learn from it.  Additional players will be returning to play and we will only improve as a team as we move forward. 

The Portagers will face the Big Rapids Crossroads Lady Tigers at home on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, and the game will start at 6 pm.  The Portagers look to bounce back and pick up another conference win.  Hope to see you there!
~Coach Torrey