Posen takes league opener
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
The best cure for a struggling offense is a heavy dose of solid defense. That was the Vikings’ remedy in their league-opening rout against Mio, 50-30. Posen allowed only 45 points in their first two games to start the campaign 2-0.
“The defense did very good, we are very happy with the defense,” said head coach Karl Momrik. The undefeated record game to an end at Cedarville Monday when they dropped a 78-45 contest against last year’s Class D semifinalists. The Trojans bring everyone back and are favorites to return to state.
Posen takes a 1-0 NSL record to Au Gres Friday night and play on the home court Tuesday against Fairview.
At Mio, the Vikes didn’t start putting the ball in until about the halfway mark of the second quarter. A young Mio club, with a new head coach, had the lead, 10-9. “We missed our dog shots in the first half and made them in the second half,” said Momrik. The girls were one-for-six from the free throw before kicking things into gear. JANICE CIARKOWSKI hit a field goal and two free throws to spark a 9-0 run. Tina Mulka also put down a three-pointer to keep the scoring going.
Mio got a bucket down the stretch to make the halftime score 19-12. Posen’s offense looked crisper in the second half. Nicole scored on a put-back shot to open the third quarter. Mio answered, but a low-post jumper by the volleyball MVP got a 13-0 run started. Mulka again highlighted the streak with a trey.
Lindsay Ponik made a pair of free throws and Victoria Wozniak put down a “J” from the high post for a 30-14 advantage. The host ?Bolts would scrap up some points in the fourth, but Mulka scored eight of the Vikings 15 points in the final stanza to put a button on the win.
Julia Lewandowski’s free throw in the closing moments gave Posen its biggest lead at 20. They would keep that margin in the end. Mulka finished with 14, while Ciarkowski had 10.
“We are doing a great job on defense,” said Momrik. The coach will be looking for more of the same at Au Gres Friday before heading home. It will be tough for any defense to stop Billie McLeod and Cedarville this season, but to Pos
Mulka ended the night with nine. Lindsey Bartz suffered a minor injury in the Mio game but came back with a strong nine, the coach said. Correction: the score in the season-opener should have stated 65-15, not 55-15 as was reported last week.
IN JUNIOR varsity game, Posen (1-2, 0-1) lost both their games to Mio and Cedarville. Against Mio, the girls had a chance to tie or go ahead twice with 22 seconds left but couldn’t knock down the shots.
“It was a good effort from the kids, they played right until the end,” said coach Gary Bisson. LeAnn Strzelecki finished with nine to lead Posen. The final against Cedarville was 51-28. Judy Romel had nine.