Portagers fall just short of MCE

by Manistee News Advocate Staff

ONEKAMA — Despite a valiant comeback effort in the fourth quarter, the Onekama girls basketball team fell just short of Class D No. 9 Mason County Eastern on Thursday in a 44-41 West Michigan D League loss.

The Portagers were down 35-21 heading into the final frame against the Cardinals (11-1, 7-1 WMD), and exploded for 20 points before coming up short of a chance to win at the buzzer.

“The first three quarters, we didn’t play the greatest,” said Onekama coach Nathan Bradford. “We had a lot of turnovers tonight. In the fourth quarter, though, we played with a little more fire — a little more aggression — and scored 20 points.

 “I told the girls, if we played like that the whole way, it would have been different,” he added. “But I give them credit. They never quit and played hard. When you play like we did the first three quarters, and are able to come back and have a chance at beating a state-ranked team like that, I can’t complain about the effort.”

Senior Jennica Mathieu led the Portagers (4-7, 3-5 WMD) with 22 points and six rebounds while freshman Hailey Kott scored 11 points with five rebounds and Tawny Kott scored four to go with five boards.

The Onekama junior varsity team cruised to a 53-17 victory Thursday night over the Cardinals. Kayla Kosboski led the way with 24 points while Alexis Tribfelner and Caitlin Zielinski each scored 10.

January 26, 2012

 

 

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