SPORTSBEAT by managing editor Peter Jakey

Play better or get run over. It was a choice both the Posen and Rogers City girls basketball teams had to make going into Tuesday’s games against two of the Upper Peninsula’s best pressing teams. The Hurons were taking on a school that has had their number for as long as anyone can remember. The Vikings, on the other hand, were at home against Cedarville, which has rarely lost to the red and white the past two decades. The table was set for disaster going into this week’s games.

Rogers City didn’t play inspired basketball against winless Newberry, trailing 9-0 early, but came back to take a 20-point victory. It wasn’t the warm-up coach Karl Grambau was looking for heading into the always-tough St. Ignace game. A week ago, Posen was heading into a key North Star League matchup against a school that has stood in the way of Posen’s conference championships hopes the last half decade. The girls went to Mio and didn’t play particularly well when they got off the bus.

Of the 37-18 loss, where nearly every Mio player scored, coach Tom Schellie said his players weren’t ready, while the Thunderbolts were. A switch, or something, clicked on for both squads. Even though the results were different, the Hurons and Vikings earned the respect of their opponents and showed a lot character Tuesday in responding to not-so memorable Thursday games last week.

CEDARVILLE COACH Tom Wilson can only remember losing three or four times to Posen in his 21 years as coach of the Trojans. When asked when was the last time one of his team’s took it on the chin against the Vikings, he said “not too long ago.” It has to be more than four years because Shannon Ciarkowski, who graduated in June, played four years on the varsity and never beat them. Records weren’t available, but it might be

the first time Posen has ever defeated Cedarville in the new gym in Posen, which was constructed about eight years ago.

“It’s a proud feeling to know that we can come back after a loss like that (to Mio) and show that we are not down, and that there is a long season to go,” Schellie said. Cedarville was ranked seventh in the Associated Press Class D polls and the victory against a very tough program is another boost for Schellie and the Vikings. “He does a nice job with them,” Wilson said. “He’s got them running and doing the things that you’re supposed to.”

THE HURONS had their work cut out for them, heading across the bridge against the fourth-ranked Saints, but the girls went out on the floor in a very tough atmosphere to play, and nearly pulled off the upset. Rogers City was within a couple of points with minutes to play, but just couldn’t put the game away. The Hurons, who suffered their first loss, almost won without talented sophomore Tiffiny Krueger in the lineup. She couldn’t play because of an injury suffered in warm-ups. The performance of Rogers City, especially at St. Ignace, fuels the excitement for the rematch October 12, in front of what hopefully will be an inspired crowd, cheering on the Hurons. And by the way, if you haven’t looked ahead at the schedule for Tuesday, Rogers City visits Posen. That should be a tremendous game.