The first time the Suttons Bay and Glen Lake girls' basketball teams met this season, the Lakers blew out the Norsemen, 61-33.

The second time they played, the Lakers won again – but the Norse made it much more difficult.

Suttons Bay hosted Glen Lake Saturday as part of a basketball “jamboree” involving both schools’ boys and girls teams. The Lakers won, 35-27, but Norseman coach Fred Wille said he was pleased with his team’s effort. The win lifted the Lakers to 6-7 overall and 5-4 in the Northwest Conference, while Suttons Bay slipped to 2-11 overall on the year and 1-8 in the league.

“I thought the girls played outstanding defense, a lot better than the first time we played them,” Wille said.

Both teams struggled to fine the range, with Suttons Bay shooting just 10-for-60 (17 percent) from the floor while the Lakers were 16-for-63 (25 percent).

The Lakers managed to lead throughout the game, with scores of 10-6, 17-13, and 29-22 at the quarter breaks. Wille said after being held to 13 first-half points, the Norse started hitting some shots and took a 21-20 lead midway through the third quarter. “But, we couldn’t hold off Glen Lake,” Wille said.

Glen Lake coach Pete Woessner while he was happy to get a win, poor shooting from the field and free throw line must improve if the Lakers hope to finish the regular season on a strong note.

“We hit two for 14 from the line for 14 percent. Ouch,” he said.

Kaelyn Thayer had 14 points and 17 rebounds to lead Glen Lake. Paige Stachnik had 7 points.

Biri Luna had 16 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals to pace Suttons Bay. Cheyenne Petoskey added 10 steals for Suttons Bay.

Meanwhile, Leland lost two games last week. On Saturday, the Comets traveled to Buckley for the Bears’ basketball jamboree and were edged by the hosts, 60-54. Coach Jon Kiessel said the Comets were ahead of the Bears for most of the game, but Buckley had a big fourth quarter to pull out the win.

“It was 42-41 in our favor after three. Buckley outscored us 19-12 to get the win,” he said.
Erin Sneed scored 19 point to lead Leland, while teammates Erica Breen had 14 and Becky Stillin 8.

On Wednesday, Jan. 16, Leland traveled to Benzie Central and had a similar experience: good play throughout but free throws at the end cost the Comets with the Huskies winning, 53-42.

Leland took a 9-7 lead after the first quarter, but Benzie battled back for a 25-24 halftime lead. The Huskies never trailed again.

“It came down to free throws. They made theirs and we did not,” Kiessel said.

Sneed had 19 points and Breen 13 to lead the Comets. Leland is 5-8 overall, 3-6 in the Northwest.

Glen Lake will take on Buckley at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Friday at 2 p.m., and play at St. Mary on Tuesday. Leland hosts Benzie on Friday and will play at Northport on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Suttons Bay will travel to Kingsley Friday and host St. Mary on Wednesday, Jan. 30.