By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
PULASKI – Good teams find ways to win despite not playing their best.
Such was the case for the Bay Port girls’ basketball team against Pulaski Jan. 4.
Despite committing 22 turnovers, The No. 3 state-ranked Pirates pulled away in the second half for a 66-53 Fox River Classic Conference victory at Pulaski High School.
Bay Port (11-0 overall, 7-0 FRCC) helped offset its own problems taking care of the ball by forcing 26 Pulaski (5-6, 2-5) turnovers.
The Pirates also got balanced scoring, with four players scoring in double digits.
In addition, every player on the team got in the scoring column.
Michigan Tech recruit Mady Draak led Bay Port with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Emma Nagel (12), Reagan McIntyre (11) and McKenzie Johnson (10) also had strong games offensively.
McIntyre added eight rebounds for the Pirates, who were 28-of-39 from the free-throw line.
“We didn’t have a good practice the day before the game and it showed,” said Bay Port head coach Kati Coleman. “We played harder in the second half, which was nice to see. Pulaski played hard and didn’t back down. We’ll watch the film and break it down so we know what we need to get better at. It was nice to see everyone score.”
The Pirates trailed 12-10 halfway through the first half before taking a 30-24 lead into the break.
After scoring the first 2 points of the game, Nagel scored her other 10 after halftime to help Bay Port turn the 6-point advantage at intermission into the 13-point victory.
The Red Raiders were led by Sheridan Flauger’s 12 points. Chelsey Gilson had 10, while Jasmine Litt added nine.
The Pirates will host Green Bay Preble Jan. 11 in a game that will feature the top two teams in the FRCC.
Box score
Bay Port: 30, 36 – 66
Pulaski: 24, 29 – 53