-
Sports
By Patrick Browne
IRON RIVER – The Lady Wykons, after battling their way back to a respectable record of 9–9, took on the Calumet Copper Kings (9–9) on Feb. 15. The Wykons had recently strung together four consecutive wins and were looking to add a victory against Calumet to their total. A win would see the Wykons above .500 for the first time in several weeks and provide momentum leading into the final week of the season.
As expected, the game was a seesaw battle which saw the teams playing even for much of the game. With less than a minute remaining the Wykons had a one-point lead and Wykon Coach Eric Shamion emphasized to his girls the importance of controlling the ball and letting the clock wind down to zero. The Wykons did not need to hurry a shot and their lead would give them the victory.
West Iron followed the coach’s directions and methodically worked the ball around the perimeter of the court. Strong passes and excellent dribbling gave the Wykons control and the clock wound down to 30 seconds, 20 seconds, 15 seconds. With under 10 seconds remaining, the ball was passed to Danica Shamion, a sure handed dribbler and excellent free-throw shooter. In her hands she could either dribble the final seconds off the clock or, if fouled, could make her free throws.
Gaining an awareness that if the Kings did not gain possession of the ball they would lose the game, their coach encouraged his players to foul a Wykon and send her to the free throw line. If the Wykons were going to win they were going to have to win by making their free throws and stopping the Kings on a final possession.
As Danica Shamion took the pass with only seconds remaining on the clock, she dribbled and headed to the right corner of the court where she appeared to be fouled. She fell to the court and, as the crowd prepared to see her go to the line for free throws, the referee called her for traveling. A shocked team erupted in disbelief and the Wykons were called for a technical foul.
An incredulous crowd was confused as the Kings were given two free throws and possession with just three seconds left on the clock. The Wykon victory was being wrestled out of their hands. Both free throws awarded by the calling of the technical found their mark and when the ball was passed in bounds, time expired. The Wykons fell to a record of 9–10, having lost the game.
On Feb. 20, the Lady Wykons took their 9 and 10 record to Ishpeming to take on the Pirates (9–9). West Iron was excited to have an opportunity to erase the memory of their previous loss and even their record at 10 wins and 10 losses.
Starting slowly, the Wykons dug themselves what appeared to be an insurmountable hole, trailing 23–6 after the first quarter. In an impressive second quarter, Coach Eric Shamion made adjustments that proved beneficial to his team. The Wykons slowly began to climb their way back into the contest, outscoring the Pirates, 17–5 in the second quarter to close the gap going into the half.
Coach Shamion encouraged his team to, “Buckle down on defense and play with more patience on offense.”
The advice was heeded and, as the second half began, the Wykons were back in the game. They outscored the
Pirates in the third quarter, 17–11 and the Wykons had a one point lead heading into the final eight minutes of play.
Both teams kept even pace and for eight minutes the game was within one possession for either team. Every trip up the court was filled with excitement. Due to a timely shot by Kaitlyn Smith, who sank a beautiful shot from beyond the arc, the Trojans saw their way to a win and an even record (10–10).
“It was a nice win for the girls after a lackluster first quarter [down 17],” stated Coach Shamion.
“Sidney Storti had some big shots in the paint for us and we won the game because we outworked Westwood.”
Danica Shamion led the Wykons with 21 points, Storti added 10, and Smith and Seanna Stine both added six.