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Sports
By Patrick Browne
BARAGA — The Michigan High School Athletic Association’s end of the year single-elimination tournament does not reward valiant efforts, heroic stands or near upsets. If it did, the Forest Park Lady Trojans would still be playing basketball.
On March 6, the Trojans took their eight-win season on the road to take on the Baraga Vikings. The Vikings finished first in the Copper Division and were ranked the twelfth-best team in the state of Michigan. It was not expected to be a close game.
After the first eight minutes it was clear the game was going to go differently than anticipated. Every pass the Vikings made was fiercely defended, every rebound was fought for and the Vikings only held an 11–5 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Trojans had brought their A-game to the contest.
In the face of relenting pressure, Baraga was never able to get on track and the Forest Park faithful began to believe an upset was possible. Teams traded basketballs as Trojans Jessie Loehr and Ava Fischer fought fiercely for rebounds.
“Our defense was great tonight, our girls were locked in,” stated Trojan Coach Kim Bjork.
Offensively the Trojans were patient and passed the ball better than in any previous game this season. Their patience paid off as time elapsed and the score stayed close. Junior Kaidince Woollard contributed solid minutes and dropped in five points.
The Trojan duo of Vienna Price and Elsie Williams controlled the tempo of the game and, when a shot opened up, were able to score. Price shot a remarkable 75% from the floor, scoring 12 points on the night. In arguably her best game of the season, her ability to hit the crucial shot at the right moment kept the Trojans close.
We executed well offensively, we did a good job finding our open teammates,” Bjork said.
The highlight of the night came when Senior Charlie Larson hit a three-point shot in the fourth quarter. Baraga held a two point lead with just two minutes remaining on the clock and the momentum had swung to the Trojans.
Unfortunately, the young team, with only two seniors on the roster, were unable to execute under the pressure of what would have been a monumental upset. The more experienced Baraga squad was able to use the pressure to their advantage and the Trojan season ended with a loss, 44–36.
“It was just a few miscues that kept us from getting the lead,” reflected Bjork.
Playing their last game for the Trojans were seniors Charlie Larson and Lauren Kudwa.