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Sports
By Patrick Browne
IRON RIVER/CRYSTAL FALLS – This season, both the Wykons and Trojans can boast of strong varsity girls basketball teams led by seasoned coaches, able players and strong point guards. Unfortunately, in the past week, both teams learned just how important their point guards are and how challenging it can be to play without them.
When the Wykons’ Danica Shamion and the Trojans’ Elsie Williams came up injured in the same week, both teams struggled to find their rhythm and both teams suffered unexpected losses.
The Lady Wykons, coming off an impressive opening victory against Iron Mountain, were forced to play Calumet without their go-to player, Danica Shamion. Shamion suffered a twisted ankle in the first game of the season and, although she will be back on the court soon, Coach Eric Shamion was forced to see how his team could compete without her can-do attitude, laser-like focus and leadership on the court.
The team was forced to regroup and had difficulty getting their footing as the game started against Calumet on Dec. 8. The Wykons slow start caused the team to play from behind. When they realized they had to find their game if they were going to win, the Wykons started to close the gap. Kaitlyn Smith’s outside shooting kept her team in contention and her eight first-quarter points spoke volumes regarding her ability to lead when the team needed her.
Julia Swenski also stepped up for the Wykons, scoring four first-quarter points. At the end of the first quarter the Wykons trailed by three points (19–16) and went into half trailing by five (28–23).
“We felt good going into halftime only down by five,” Shamion said. “Our defense improved in the third quarter and we pulled within two going into the final quarter.”
Although the Wykons were able to finally take a lead when Smith sank her fourth and fifth three-pointers of the night, Calumet was not to be denied and finished the game with a 53–51 victory.
In an odd twist of fate, the Lady Trojans also lost their starting guard, Elsie Williams, and were forced to play without her court leadership and energy. Freshman Vienna Price reflected on the veteran point guard’s injury.
“Elsie is our leader and she is always bringing the energy,” Price said. “We’re looking forward to having her back as she is the main scorer and our main ball handler. We need to get on track offensively.”
Playing without their starting guard, the Trojans dropped two games, on Dec. 8 losing to Kingsford and on Dec. 12 to Ewen-Trout Creek.
In the Kingsford 43–39 loss, Price put up 10 points for the Trojans and kept them close, while sophomore Jessie Loehr contributed eight, Ava Fischer seven and KD Woollard six. The team was inspired to stay close but could not secure the victory.
“We were down 12 and managed to work our way back into the game,” said coach Kim Bjork. “We are happy with the energy and effort our girls are giving. Our defense is keeping us in games right now.”
In their second game without Williams, the Trojans took on Ewen Trout Creek, struggled and, after the first quarter, were never in the game. The 45–14 loss gave the Lady Trojans a 1–3 record on the season.
“We couldn’t get anything going offensively; it just wasn’t our night,” Bjork said. “We’re confident we will rebound quickly, there’s a lot of games ahead of us.”
Both coaches hope those games include their starting point guards.