Sam Ewald goes up for a layup in a matchup with Reese earlier this season. Ewald scored 23 points to lead the Patriots to their first win over the Rockets since 2009. USA is now in a tie for first place with Reese.
Tom Gilchrist and Mike Gallagher
Advertiser Sports Staff
REESE — Coach Lindsay Bitzer’s Unionville-Sebewaing Area Patriots avenged a loss earlier this season to Reese by going on the road and beating the Rockets on Thursday night, 57-44.
“USA played a great game,” Reese coach Denny Gruber said. “I congratulate them on a very fine job.”
Both USA and Reese have only one loss in the Greater Thumb Conference West Division. Reese had not lost a GTC conference game in four years.
Reese hosts Bad Axe on Tuesday and travels to Cass City on Thursday. USA plays its last conference game on Tuesday when it hosts Vassar, and the Patriots visit Marlette in a non-conference game Thursday.
Sam Ewald led USA by scoring 23 points against Reese. Marisa Morton and Breanna Dinsmoore added eight points apiece while Kayla Gremel scored six.
Reyna Frost scored 26 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked five shots for Reese. Maddie Coulter tallied 11 points — including a trio of 3-pointers — for the Rockets.
Frankenmuth senior guard Kendra Kujat puts up a shot in a game played earlier this year. Kujat scored 11 points for the Eagles on Senior Night.
Frankenmuth 57, Caro 15: The Eagles clinched the Tri-Valley East conference title on senior night Thursday, when they defeated the Tigers. Frankenmuth came out strong, outscoring Caro 12-0 in the first quarter. Holding a 22-9 advantage after two quarters, the Eagles held the Tigers scoreless in the third quarter, while scoring 20 points of their own. “Even though we struggled a little offensively, our defense was very strong tonight,” said Frankenmuth coach Tom Keller. The Eagles forced 30 turnovers on the night. Kendra Kujat, Madison Wiskur, and Madison Walter scored 11 points each to pace the Eagles scoring attack. “We could see this team again in a couple weeks in the districts and wanted to play well tonight in hopes of setting a tone for what we want to play like in the state tournament, which is right around the corner,” stated coach Keller. As for Frankenmuth’s three seniors, Alyssa Jarlock, Elizabeth Laux, and Kujat, coach Keller had this to say. “They have been a part of a lot of success for us the last few seasons.” “ It was great to send them out with a big win in their final home game of their careers.” Frankenmuth (16-2, 12-0) will travel to Birch Run on Tuesday.
Akron-Fairgrove 53, Cass City 47: Emily Wagner scored 18 points to lead the Vikings to a road victory Tuesday night over the Red Hawks. Abby Reif and Megan Hiser added eight points each for Akron-Fairgrove.
Vassar 43, Mayville 17: Javea Swinton tallied 10 points and Rebecca Huizar added nine to lead the Vulcans to a road win Wednesday. Vassar, which outscored Mayville 12-1 in the third quarter, received seven points each from Jaylee Burnham and Kristen Walker. Jimi Harris scored seven points to lead Mayville.