Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
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High School
Chassell claimed the girls Class D district basketball title last night with a 52-37 victory over Ontonagon at Jeffers High School. Sydney Danison led Chassell with 16 points, and Sophia Huhta added 13. The Panthers improve to 22-1 on the season. They will face Munising in the regional semifinal Tuesday at 7:45 Eastern Time at Kingsford. The Mustangs are also 22-1 this season.
Chassell’s Milly Allen has been named the Edward E. Helakoski Most Valuable Player for the Copper Mountain Conference this season. Her Panthers teammate, Meg Hokenson, earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. Panthers coach Brandi Hainault was named Coach of the Year. The Copper Mountain Conference Elite Team (featuring players from both divisions) includes Allen and Sydney Danison from Chassell, Bethany Baldwin from Watersmeet, Elise Besonen from Ewen-Trout Creek, Ivy Klemett from Jeffers, and Saundra Libertoski from Wakefield-Marenisco. You can see the first and second teams from both the Copper Country and Porcupine Divisions here.
On the boys’ side, future Michigan Tech Husky Jake Witt of Ewen-Trout Creek captured both the Edward E. Helakoski Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Jesse Kentala earned Coach of the Year honors for leading Dollar Bay to an undefeated regular season. Members of the Elite Team (featuring players from both divisions) include Witt, Devin Schmitz and Jaden Janke from Dollar Bay, Jacob Suzik from Wakefield-Marenisco, Carson Turner from Jeffers, and Abe Gockenbach from Chassell. You can see the first and second teams from both the Copper Country and Porcupine Divisions here.
In Class C, the St. Ignace girls won their district title with a 75-10 (that is not a typo) victory over Indian River Inland Lakes. The Saints (21-1) will face Houghton (15-7) in the regional semifinal Tuesday at 7:30 at Escanaba. Our broadcast will begin around 7:10 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.
Calumet’s Matt Ojala has been named the WestPAC Boys Basketball Player of the Year. The All-Conference First Team includes Travis Ojala from Calumet, George Butvilas and Bradley Sirard of Houghton, Reese Waara of L’Anse, and Steven Nelson and Caden Pellizzer from West Iron County. Devin Raasio and Joe Watson of Hancock, Cooper Twardzik of Calumet, and James Swanson and Neil Tomasoski of West Iron County were placed on the second team. Elijah McParland of Calumet and Alec Rajala of L’Anse earned honorable mention votes. Calumet’s Mike Ojala and West Iron County’s Dan Shive shared the Coach of the Year honor.
The high school hockey regional champion will be crowned today. Hancock and Calumet will meet at 2:00 at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Our coverage will begin around 1:40 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com. The victor will meet the winner of this afternoon’s match between Sault Ste. Marie and Big Rapids in the quarterfinals Wednesday. If Sault Ste. Marie wins today, the quarterfinal will be held in Marquette. If Big Rapids wins, the quarterfinal will be played at the Soo. We will broadcast the quarterfinal on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.
Finlandia
The Finlandia University softball team opens its spring schedule of games in Clermont, Florida today. The Lions will play the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Nebraska Wesleyan.
MTU/NMU
The Michigan Tech hockey team spotted Bemidji State a 3-1 lead, then scored the final four tallies of the game to defeat the Beavers 5-3 in the opening game of their Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff quarterfinal series last night. Gavin Gould scored early for Tech. Bemidji then scored three times, but two power play goals by the Huskies’ Jake Lucchini tied the contest. Seamus Donohue scored the game-winner with 90 seconds remaining in regulation, and Jake Jackson added an insurance empty-netter. Game two of the best-of-three series will be played tonight in Bemidji. If necessary, game three will be played tomorrow.
Northern Michigan University breezed to a 7-1 victory over Alabama-Huntsville in their WCHA playoff opener last night. That series continues this evening in Marquette.
The Michigan Tech men’s basketball team faces Lake Superior State in the semifinals of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament at Big Rapids today at 5:00.
Four members of the Michigan Tech women’s basketball team have earned All-GLIAC honors. Kelli Guy, Brenna Heise, and Lindsay Winter were named to the All-GLIAC First Team. Elizabeth Kelliher was placed on the All-GLIAC Second Team and All-Defensive Team. Learn more here.
Tech men’s basketball player Kyle Monroe was named to the All-GLIAC first team. Bryan Heath earned second-team honors. Learn more here.
GLHL
The Calumet Wolverines claimed an 8-4 victory over the Mosinee Papermakers last night. The Wolverines will host the Great Lakes Hockey League-leading West Bend Bombers tonight at 7:30 at the Colosseum.
The Portage Lake Pioneers host Mosinee tonight. Faceoff is at 7:00 at Dee Stadium.
NHL
The Detroit Red Wings lost 4-3 to the Winnipeg Jets last night. Jimmy Howard made 38 saves. Niklas Kronwall, Anthony Mantha and Trevor Daley scored for Detroit. The Wings visit the Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow night. Pregame coverage begins at 6:40 on 99.3 The Lift.
NBA
The Detroit Pistons suffered a 115-106 overtime loss to the Magic in Orlando last night. James Ennis III came off the bench to lead Detroit with 21 points. The Pistons face the Heat in Miami tonight. Pregame coverage begins at 7:05 on 99.3 The Lift.
MLB
The Detroit Tigers defeated the Florida Marlins 8-3 in spring training play yesterday. Matthew Boyd gave up all three Florida runs in the first inning, but settled down to complete four frames. Niko Goodrum and Jim Adduci each hit their second homers of the spring. The Tigers face the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon. Listen for select preseason games and all of Detroit’s regular-season games on 99.3 The Lift.
The Milwaukee Brewers lost 4-2 to the Seattle Mariners yesterday. Junior Guerra pitched three scoreless innings. The Brewers meet the Colorado Rockies this afternoon.
CopperDog 150
Martha Schouweiler grabbed the early lead in the CopperDog 150 dogsled race, with a quick run of 3:24:52 in last night’s first stage from Calumet to Eagle Harbor. Schouweiler leads first-time competitor Ryan Anderson by 1:52. Defending champion Anny Malo is third, followed by former champion Jake Golton and Rita Wehseler. Local musher Tom Bauer is 14th in the 17-team field. The second stage of the race will begin this morning at 9:00 in downtown Eagle Harbor. Teams will begin arriving at the second stage finish in Copper Harbor shortly after noon.
Tristan Rivest leads the CopperDog 80 at the midway point. Rivest, who was last year’s runner-up, leads Calumet musher Jerry Trudell by 3:38 after the opening stage from Calumet to Eagle River. Alex LaPlante, Liz van den Toorn and Kelsey Beaber round out the top five. Among local mushers, Susan Serafini is eighth, Kelly Jo Engle 11th, Becky Bean 13th, and Adam Schmidt 17th. Hannah Tiura was unable to complete the run, and has withdrawn from the race. The final leg of the CopperDog 80 will be run tomorrow, from Copper Harbor to Calumet. Both races will finish in downtown Calumet Sunday afternoon. Listen for full coverage this weekend on 97.7 The Wolf and KBear 102, and check the full schedule at CopperDog150.com.
Email sports news and game results to mornings@up.net.
