Marines on verge of NEC title

MARINETTE – The Marines will be playing for a share of the North Eastern Conference title when they square off against 0-16 Little Chute this Tuesday following their 48-45 victory over Freedom on Friday, Feb. 9. 

After a close first half that saw the lead change hands three times and the Marines lose a key piece of their offense with Riley Kieffer exiting the game early with an apparent knee injury, Marinette made the most of free-throw opportunities down the stretch to secure the win. 

“We went 21-32, we missed three front ends of one and ones towards the end, so it wasn’t great by any means,” said Marinette head coach Zac Barker of his squad’s free throw shooting against Freedom. “But we were +16, they only made five, we made 21. At the end of the day, you can’t be disappointed or upset about that. They did very well, got to the line, they hit the shots when it mattered and we were able to do just enough to win by three.”

Bryanna Torkko led all scorers with 14 points for Marinette, along with four rebounds and two steals. Chloe Seymour was right behind her with 13 points, four boards, two assists and three steals to go along with a big night on defense from Madison Kunick, who had five steals and a block along with seven points, a board and an assist.

Bulldogs can’t get on track against Blue Devils

PESHTIGO – The Peshtigo girls were expecting an in-your-face effort on defense from Oconto on Friday, Feb. 9 and that’s exactly what they got as the Blue Devils stifled the home team’s offense en route to a 66-31 win.

Oconto came out aggressive and pressed us. We didn’t handle it well at all. I was disappointed because we spend time working on our press breakers but the girls didn’t run it like they were supposed to,” said Peshtigo head coach Pete Villas. “Oconto jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Our effort was good otherwise. The girls didn’t quit and for that I am extremely proud of them. Oconto is a very good team with a deep bench and balanced scoring. I’m not surprised they are at the top of our conference.” 

Holly Pesch was the Bulldogs’ top scorer with 12 points while Audra Bauman turned in eight to go along with five rebounds.

Oconto’s Addisyn Viestens was the game’s high scorer with 14 points, along with five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Anna Vendenlangenberg finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal, Natalie Schlueter had 11 points and six rebounds to go along with 10 points and two rebounds from Lauren McDowell.

Wolverines bounce Badgers 

CRIVITZ – The Crivitz girls, behind a big performance by Kiya Brand, steamed to a 53-35 victory over Niagara on Thursday, Feb. 3, improving their M&O mark to 8-6.

Brand turned in a game-high 21 points to go along with six boards, an assist and seven steals while fellow Wolverine Megan Pusick had nine points, 11 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block. 

Niagara was led by 12 from Peyton Allred.

Tigers tame Cougars in close contest

GILLETT – The Tigers, down by a pair at halftime to Coleman, swung the scoreboard four points the other direction in the second half to defeat the Cougars 43-41 on Thursday, Feb. 9, improving to 8-6 in M&O play and 12-9 overall.

Gillett’s Celina Guns led the game’s scoring with 17 points, followed by 11 from Emily Soper.

Coleman, now 12-2 in conference and 12-9 overall, got 12 points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal from Alyssa Hoida and Callee Compe added 10 points, three boards, an assist and two steals.

Wildcats cruise to win vs. Rangers

LENA – The M&O Conference’s top team picked up another win on Thursday, Feb. 8 as Lena scored its 14th straight by defeating the Rangers 61-20.

Eva Brooks led the way for Lena with a 25 point, 13 rebound double double to go along with four boards, four steals and four blocks. Madilyn Thomson added 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists and six steals.

Wausaukee was led by 12 points from Melody Schaal.

Cougars drop non-conference contest

COLEMAN – Getting outscored 26-18 in the second half sealed Coleman’s fate on Tuesday, Feb. 6 in a 44-34 loss to Wabeno/Laona.

The Cougars were led by Kiersten Jensen’s 13 points, four rebounds and an assist. Vivian Kostreva added eight points, five boards, an assist, two steals and three blocks. Annabell Markiewicz was also busy with six rebounds, an assist and five steals to go along with her three points.

Marines take care of business against Vikings

DENMARK – Making sure no late-season upset disrupted its North Eastern Conference record, Marinette pulled away from Denmark in the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 6 to secure a 61-53 victory after leading by just  two at half.

Bryanna Torkko finished the game with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and six steals to pace the Marines, followed by 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals by Madison Kunick. Riley Kieffer added 11 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

Cold shooting dooms Bulldogs vs. Blazers

GREEN BAY – Peshtigo was able to hang with Green Bay NEW Lutheran/Providence Academy through the first half of play on Tuesday, Feb. 6 but cold shooting caught up with the visiting team down the stretch, resulting in a 45-35 win for the Blazers.

“Tonight was one of those games that missed scoring opportunities came back to get us at the end,” said Peshtigo head coach Pete Villas. “We got a lot of good shots up but only made 6-of-25 from three point range and 7-of-26 from two-point range. Free throws were a huge factor as well. We were only 3-for-12 and NEW was 15-for-24. Otherwise we played well.” 

Holly Pesch was the Bulldogs’ lead scorer with 15 points, coupled with a pair of rebounds. Cameron Finger led the game in the rebound category with 14 boards to go along with one shot made from beyond the arc for three points.

Lady Badgers bumped to .500 with loss to Wildcats

NIAGARA – Niagara’s overall record fell to 11-11 after dropping a low-scoring contest to Gresham Community by a final score of 31-26 on Tuesday, Feb. 6. 

Mallory Sanicki turned in eight points to lead Niagara, followed by five from Peyton Allred, four from Alivia Kleikamp and two apiece from Bristol Sanicki, Emma Brasure and Sydney Swanson.