BACK-TO-BACK – The Laingsburg girls basketball team defeated Fulton High School 50-27 Friday, Feb. 26 to capture a share of the Central Michigan Athletic Conference (CMAC) for the second consecutive year. The win elevated the team’s record to 17-3 (14-2 in the CMAC). The team finished the 2014-2015 regular season 20-0, and ultimately ran its record to 26-1 before losing in the state semifinals to eventual state champion Calumet.
The Wolfpack extended its slim 22-18 halftime lead to 38-19 after three quarters, with a dominant 16-1 third quarter run, which was keyed by an increased defensive intensity. Though point guard Julia Angst directed the offense for the Wolfpack, she was not among the leading scorers. Sophie Wilsey led the team with 16 points, seven steals and five assists; Lindsey Smith added 13 points; and Alex Randall and Michele Hannah each chipped in with six points.
Coach Doug Hurst expressed how proud he is of this year’s team, and pointed out that the team’s combined margin of defeat in their three losses was only 12 points.
“This year has been really special for us,” Coach Hurst said following the win. “I think this team responded really well to the pressure last year’s success created. The players focused on making history this year, and they left last year in the past. And while this is a great team, there are no stars. There are three or four girls that can lead us on any given night, which is a nice problem to have. Everyone plays for their teammates.”
The team beat Carson City-Crystal 41-17 Monday, Feb. 29 to open district play, and then they defeated Bath 41-27 Thursday, March 3. The team dropped a tightly contested 32-29 game to Pewamo-Westphalia Saturday, March 5 in the district final to end the season with a 19-4 record.
Pictured with Coach Doug Hurst and Assistant Coach Eric Wade are: Kenedy Franks, Julia Angst, Brooke Wurm, Megan Essenberg, Tyler Adkins, Samantha Mentus, Sophie Wilsey, Emily Soeltner, Michele Hannah, Alex Randall, Sophie Strieff, Lindsey Smith, and Hanna Righter. The team left the gym after shaking hands with the Fulton players, electing to postpone their celebration until the opposing team had cleared the court. The team returned approximately 10 minutes later to cut down the nets and celebrate on the court with family and friends. (Independent Photos/Graham Sturgeon)
