11/14/2006

Kingsley topples Blazers

Stags cash in from the stripe down the stretch

By
Record-Eagle staff writer

KALKASKA — Second verse, same as the first.

Nine days after posting a 10-point win over Kalkaska, Kingsley beat the Blazers again on Monday night, opening Class C district tournament play with a 45-33 basketball victory on Kalkaska's home court.

"That was everything we expected,” said Lady Stags coach Matt Schelich, whose team will carry an 18-3 record into Wednesday's second-round game against Traverse City St. Francis. "(The Blazers) were tough. They have multiple shooters out there.

"Kudos to Kalkaska. They had a great season and gave us two great games in the last week.”

The Blazers (15-6) nailed four 3-pointers while taking a 24-20 lead with 5:44 left in the third. But they managed to score only nine more points the rest of the way.

"We got into foul trouble and had some match-up problems, and Kingsley pulled away,” said Kalkaska coach Dave Dalton. "Their defense is phenomenal — and we're a pretty good offensive team. Physically, they just wear on you. Their kids are tough.”

The game was back-and-forth most of the way, with the score tied 6-6 at the end of the first quarter and Kingsley holding leads of 17-16 at halftime and 31-26 at the end of the third.

The Blazers had taken a 24-20 advantage early in the third with an 8-3 run that included a three-point play by Katie Krause.

But Ashley Slade nailed a three-pointer from the left side — Kingsley's only triple of the game — and 5-foot-3 point guard Tallie Waurzyniak fought for an offensive rebound and nailed a put-back to ignite an 11-2 run that put the Lady Stags on top for good.

They managed to connect on only one field goal in the fourth quarter, but they hit 10 of 15 free throws to put the game away.

Courtney Stocking was 7-for-8 from the line in the fourth and 8-for-10 overall, while Slade was 3-for-4 in the final period. Slade finished with a game-high 15 points; Stocking had 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Nicole Fisher (6) and Kali Weber (4) came off the bench and combined for 10 points for Kingsley.

"Our bench play was huge,” Schelich said. "I'm extremely proud of their effort. They made the difference.”

Krause paced Kalkaska with 14 points, eight rebounds and three steals, while Marissa Taylor had seven points, seven boards and three assists. Lindsay McLean contributed seven rebounds and Caitlin Flohe tossed in six points in the final game of their careers.

"Our girls left it on the floor,” Dalton said. "I couldn't have asked for more.”

Suttons Bay defeated Northwest Conference rival Glen Lake 46-32 in Monday's opener and will take on Forest Area on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

The Norse (12-9) went on an 11-2 third-quarter run to break open a close game.

Liz McGeshik led the way with 17 points, while Crystal Dittrich had 11.

Glen Lake was led by Katie Milliron's 11 points.