Traverse City Record-Eagle

Sports

March 14, 2012

3 local teams knocked out in quarters

Leland, McBain, Gaylord St. Mary close out seasons

From staff reports ----

MUSKEGON — In just one season, Leland went from one to one-quarter.

The Comets fell 46-31 to Portland St. Patrick in a Class D quarterfinal Tuesday, finishing a long way from last season's one-win team.

"It was a great run, a great season," Leland coach Megan Munoz said. "We had great seniors. Who would have thought we'd go from one win to the quarterfinals?"

Liz McKee led the Comets (13-12) with 17 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots, while Hanna Schaub had seven points.

The balanced Shamrocks were led by Tori Goodrich's 10 points.

Also in Class D, Crystal Falls Forest Park scored a lay-up with a second to go for a 59-57 win over Gaylord St. Mary in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Trojans went on a 16-9 run in the fourth quarter for the win.

Kari Borowiak and Karli Jacob each had 23 points for the Snowbirds (23-2) while Mary Spyhalski added 12 points. Lexi Gussert had 27 points for Crystal Falls.

"It's been a special year," St. Mary coach Kevin Foster said. "We won our conference, district and regional. To finish 23-2, that's nothing to hang your head about."

Defending Class C state champion St. Ignace closed strong Tuesday against McBain, outscoring the Ramblers 23-15 in the fourth quarter to post a 73-65 victory in their quarterfinal clash and earn a repeat trip to The Breslin Center.

The Saints (25-0) take on Morley-Stanwood (25-0) Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in a semifinal battle of unbeatens. The Ramblers finish 23-2, their only other loss coming in the opening game of the season to Morley-Stanwood.

The score was knotted at 50 going into the fourth quarter but St. Ignace forged ahead in the opening 90 seconds behind a 3-pointer and a short jumper from senior Lauren Goldthorpe. The Saints led the rest of the way.

"We stuck to our game plan and played them the way we wanted to play them," said McBain coach Todd Hamlet. "Give credit to St. Ignace. They had players come off the bench and make plays. They're a very good team."

McBain senior guard Annemarie Hamlet capped a four-year varsity career with a gritty performance, hitting a game-high 26 points. Freshman Meredith Hamlet canned 14 while Brittany Watson tallied seven and Melisa Bazuin and Barnette each scored six. Dani Hoekwater pulled down 11 rebounds.

-- Mike Dunn contributed to this report

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