Traverse City Record-Eagle

Sports

THE LOWDOWN

- The 63 points was a season-high for the Gladiators, who are now averaging 53 points a game.

- It was the fifth-straight loss for Harbor Springs after starting the season 2-0.

- Both teams struggled from the free-throw line, shooting a combined 6-for-22.

Related Photos

  • Traverse City St. Francis' Lauren Buckel (20) puts up the ball after being fouled by Harbor Springs Friday at Traverse City St. Francis High School. Record-Eagle/Keith King

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January 5, 2013

St. Francis girls take quick lead, win 63-22

'Right off the bat, we pressed and came out running'

BY MIKE ECKERT meckert@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — It had been 16 days since the St. Francis girls last played basketball.

There were no signs of rust.

The Gladiators took a quick lead and never looked back on Friday for a 63-22 Lake Michigan Conference win over Harbor Springs.

"I was a little anxious about how we might come out and play, but the girls responded," St. Francis coach Mike Knudsen said. "They played a really nice game tonight."

St. Francis (6-1, 3-0 LMC) led 11-3 after the first quarter.

"Right off the bat, we pressed and came out running," Knudsen said. "The girls carried that momentum throughout the game."

It was 34-12 Glads at the half. St. Francis senior led the way with 11 of her team-high 18 points coming before the break.

Eight of the nine St. Francis players scored and all of them saw significant minutes.

"With the long break, we were able to give the girls some time off," Knudsen said. "When they did come back, they were fresh and came at it hard in practice."

Freshman Anne Lyman had 13 points, Kaitlin Feeney had 10 points while Lydia Arthur, Lauren Buckel and Bridget Bussell each had six points.

For Harbor Springs (2-5), Shallon Grawey had seven points, while Maddy Savard had six points.

St. Francis also had a big advantage rebounding.

"That's one thing we work on and stress," Knudsen said. "If they get a shot off, make sure they don't get a second one. And offensively when we get a shot, make sure you go get if we do miss."

The Gladiators host Grayling on Wednesday, while Harbor Springs is at Cedarville on Monday.

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