Posen takes control of the league with a huge win at Mio

The Posen girls basketball team ended the first half of the regular season with one of the most disappointing losses of the season against Alcona, but rebounded in a big way as the second half of the season started. The Vikings (7-4, 7-1) went to Mio and came away with a 55-51 win and now control their own destiny in the North Star League. The girls are tied for first place in the NSL with Hillman, as both schools have 7-1 conference records. The Vikes have the edge because they defeated Hillman September 29. The next game with the Tigers will be November 3 in Posen. Vikings coach Tom Schellie, who in four years of coaching the varsity had not defeated Mio, said his players worked hard and were hungry for a win against Mio.

THE KEY to stopping the Mio attack was to limit their shots from three-point land, something that did the Vikes in back on September 8. The Thunderbolts could only net two in front of their home fans with the Vikings playing a stifling 1-2-2 zone. The players also showed a lot of character in bouncing back from the heartbreaking loss to Alcona two nights before, a game in which they had a Class C school in a 17-point hole, but let the game get away from them. Mary Calhoun led the offensive attack with 24 points and played a tremendous game according to her coach.

Schellie now believes the games only get tougher as the Vikings will be an unfamiliar position of having a target on their back, much the way Mio did before last Thursday?s game — not a bad position to be in.

AFTER TUESDAY?S 61-52 win at Hale, the Vikings have won four consecutive league games, including back-to-back wins against Hillman and Mio. The girls will look to make it five in a row when they pla

y at Arenac Eastern today. Tuesday they?ll be back home against Rogers City. Three players scored in double digits against Hale with Calhoun leading the way with 21. Roxann Hincka had a double double with 16 points and 16 boards, while Jill Krajniak netted three three-pointers to finish with 11. Schellie said the threes from Krajniak were a big part of the victory.

The girls weren?t hitting on all cylinders in the early going but still led by seven at halftime. Schellie went to a half court trap in the second half and the girls made their free throws to put the game away and earn the season sweep against Hale.

THE JV SPLIT their games over the last week, defeating Hale 60-44 Tuesday, but dropping a tough 35-34 contest at Mio. Coach Mandee Hincka said her squad led the entire game, so it was a hard loss to swallow. Christina Bednarski and Ashley Styma both scored 11 each against Hale, while Megan Haske and Kori Latz both had eight each against Mio.