LL-H Football Moves to 8-Player – Friday Sports Wrap

High School

Lake Linden-Hubbell has made it official – the school’s football program will downsize to the eight-player level next season. School officials said the decision was a tough one, but declining enrollment and participation numbers made it inevitable. The move will leave schedule holes to be filled for traditional local rivals Houghton, Hancock and L’Anse. It will renew traditional Lakes rivalries with such schools as Ontonagon, Forest Park and North Dickinson. Despite being one of the smallest 11-player schools in the state last season, the Lakes reached the tournament district final.

In high school hockey last night, Hancock blanked Negaunee 8-0. The game ended 43 seconds early, when Calvin Heinonen’s goal pushed the margin to the mercy-rule level. Austin Salani scored in the first period to give the Bulldogs an early lead. His second goal of the night opened up the second period, and Hancock added tallies by Mason Mikesch, Petr Anderson and Colton Salani. Austin completed a hat trick early in the third period, and Chad Nordstrom also scored. The Bulldog outshot the Miners 53-9.

On the ice today…
– Hancock entertains Bay Port at 4:00.
– Houghton hosts Birmingham Brother Rice.
 – Jeffers will face Rhinelander at the Merrill Tournament this evening. Merrill will take on Medford in the other semifinal. The consolation and championship games will be played tomorrow.

In other hockey games tomorrow…
– Calumet hosts Birmingham Brother Rice. Our broadcast will begin at 6:40 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.
– Houghton entertains Bay Port at 1:00.

In high school boys basketball last evening…
– Calumet v West Iron County – postponed to February 6th.
– Dollar Bay-Tamarack City stopped Hancock 72-56.
– Lake Linden-Hubbell v Jeffers – postponed TBA.
– Chassell v Republic-Michigamme – postponed TBA.
– Ontonagon edged Wakefield-Marenisco 67-66.
– Ewen-Trout Creek got past Watersmeet 66-62 in overtime.

On the boys schedule tonight, Houghton tips off at Dollar Bay-Tamarack City.

In girls hoops last night…
– Calumet fell to Marquette 55-42. Elli Djerf scored 19 for the Copper Kings.
– L’Anse smothered Republic-Michigamme 66-17. Maija Rice led the Purple Hornets with 22 points, and Addison Mattson added 18.

In girls action tonight…
– Hancock plays at Jeffers.
– Houghton welcomes Westwood.
– Chassell hosts Wakefield-Marenisco.
– Baraga entertains Bessemer.
– Ewen-Trout Creek plays at Ontonagon.

Western Collegiate Hockey Association

The Michigan Tech hockey team skates at Bemidji State University tonight and tomorrow night.

The Northern Michigan University hockey squad visits Cornell tonight and tomorrow.

Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

The Michigan Tech women’s basketball team overcame an awful start, and defeated Lake Superior State 62-52 last night. The Huskies scored just five points in the first quarter, but roared back to take a four-point halftime lead. Cassidy Trotter led Tech with 20 points.

The Tech men’s team outscored the Lakers 102-81. Dawson Bilski netted 29 points.

Both Huskies teams will host Ferris State University tomorrow. The women’s game will begin at 1:00, and the men’s contest at 3:00.

Both Northern Michigan University squads lost to Ferris State last evening – the women 66-60, and the men 61-48.

Both Wildcats teams will entertain Ferris State tomorrow.

Finlandia University

The Finlandia University men’s hockey team entertains Trine University tonight at 7:15 and tomorrow at 4:00. Coverage of tonight’s game will begin at 6:55 on 99.3 The Lift.

The Lions women’s hockey team skates at Lake Forest tonight and tomorrow. 

Great Lakes Hockey League

The Calumet Wolverines will visit the Marquette Mutineers tonight.

NHL

The Detroit Red Wings host the Pittsburgh Penguins this evening. Because of Finlandia University hockey, Wings coverage begins at 7:10 on KBear 102.3.

NBA

The Detroit Pistons visit the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow.

NFL

In the NFL conference championship games on Sunday…
– The Kansas City Chiefs host the Tennessee Titans at 3:05.
– The Green Bay Packers visit the San Francisco 49ers at 6:40.

Hear both conference title games and the Super Bowl on 99.3 The Lift.

Email sports news and game results to mornings@up.net.