Teams return to the hardwoods early next week
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
Both the Rogers City and Posen girls’ basketball teams have tough opening acts in 2015.
Both will be looking to avenge early season losses this Monday.
The Lady Hurons get another shot at Onaway, who they lost to by only five points in the first meeting in Rogers City. Now that the Hurons have a few games under their belts, head coach Gary Bisson is expecting better results.
“Both teams played hard, but I said it would take a few games for us to find our identity about what kind of team we would be,” said Bisson. “We have been improving and building on that.”
Bisson said he is not looking to change much against Onaway. “We are just going to keep doing what we have been doing,” said Bisson. Rogers City’s only losses have been to Onaway and Posen, who have a combined record of 8-2. The Hurons are 3-2.
Posen returns from the break with a game against the only school to defeat the program in several seasons. Hillman ended the great 59-game conference winning streak and now have a chance to end the Lady Viking’s long home winning streak that improved to 38 in the 2014 finale, a blowout win over Inland Lakes.
The teams met Dec. 5, 2014 in Hillman. It was Posen’s first game of the season, while Hillman was playing its third game.
“We have to play smarter,” said Lady Vikings coach Karl Momrik. “We are committing too many fouls and were are not making enough shots at the free-throw line. You cannot win if you are not making at least 50 percent (from the free-throw line).”
The Vikings are shooting 45 percent.
Both of the boys’ teams are up against two of the top teams in the area.
The Vikings (1-2) get thrown right into the fire with a trip to Hillman.
“We need to improve our defense and communication, just the basics,” said Posen head coach Matt Ponik. “Try and get the fundamentals down so we can be a better overall team.”
The squad had a couple of days off for Christmas, but got right back to it on Monday.
The Hurons (2-2) continue an exceptionally long layoff until Jan. 8 when they travel to take on
powerhouse Alcona.
It will be a solid three weeks between games for a team that won its first two and lost the next two.
“We are trying to keep them in the gym and keep them in shape,” said Rogers City head coach Jesse Streich. “We have been putting in a few things over the break to keep them fresh.”
Streich said he is pleased with the start.
“The more they player together the more they will get better – this team expects to win,” said Streich.
The Onaway boys are off to a hot start and return to action Tuesday on the home floor against Pellston.
The Cards opened the season with a blow out win over Harbor Light Christian and then notched impressive wins over Bellaire and Rogers City to end 2014.