12/19/14 Negaunee, Michigan – The Negaunee Miners Girls Basketball team hosted the Norway Knights tonight in a big early-season MPC battle. Carl Leander Johnson, the voice of the Negaunee Miners and Jesse Anderson were there to bring you all the exciting basketball action on SunnyFM.
Negaunee shot out of the gate to take a 4-0 lead over Norway in the first minute of the game. That would set the tone for the entire game, as Negaunee had their best offensive showing of the season in the first quarter. They used threes from Courtney Clickner, Courtney Finnila, Adena Anderson, and Haley Fezatt en route to building a 20-3 lead after the first. The Miners were rolling as the defense was able to absolutely shut down the Knights’ offensive attack in the first, including sophomore Jordan Kraemer, who came in averaging 12 points per game.
The Knights were able to put some things together in the second quarter, but still weren’t able to trim Negaunee’s lead too much. While they shut her down in the first, Norway’s Kraemer was able to get off some good shots and gave Norway a much needed boost in the second. Norway managed to put a 9-4 run together, and trailed Negaunee 24-12, but Negaunee would trade blows with their MPC rivals the rest of the way, and went into the break leading by the same margin, 31-19. Courtney Finnila’s seven first-half points were huge for Negaunee.
Negaunee was first to score in the second half to widen their lead to 14. Aleda Johnson would do what she’s done all year long and took over on offense. She finished with a team-high 17 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists, and four steals! Kraemer did everything she could in this one to get her team back into it, but Norway still trailed the Miners most of the quarter by double digits and halfway through the third, they trailed 38-27. After another Johnson bucket, and a Courtney Clickner free-throw, Negaunee would go into the final frame leading 41-29.
Norway really needed to pick up the pace, so they returned to their full-court press and pushed the envelope offensively, as Jordan Kraemer would have a great second half to finish with a game-high 23 points. Norway also improved defensively, only allowing five total points in the quarter, although Negaunee spent much of that time playing “keep away” on offense. Negaunee would eventually push their lead to 14 to take a 43-29, but Norway would score six straight points, and get within eight. Negaunee would hit their free-throws down the stretch though, and Norway couldn’t keep their pace up, as Negaunee came out on top with a 46-38 victory to improve to 3-2 on the season and 2-0 in conference play. Norway falls to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the conference.
The Negaunee Miners defeated the Norway Knights (46-38) on Sunny.FM.
The Miners were led tonight by standout sophomore Aleda Johnson, who finished with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, four steals, and two blocks. Following her was junior Courtney Finnila, whose nine points, five rebounds, and two steals sparked the Miners offense in the first half. Adena Anderson had herself another good game, tossing in seven points and four rebounds. She’s scored seven or more in two consecutive games now for coach Sager. Rounding out the scoring for Negaunee was Courtney Clickner (4), Ashley Tresedder (4), Hailey Fezatt (3), and Hailee Richards (2).
Join Carl Leander Johnson, the voice of the Negaunee Miners and Jesse Anderson on Tuesday December 30th, 2014. They will be traveling to Manistique, Michigan to bring you the call, as the Negaunee Miners Boys Basketball team face the Manistique Emeralds. The pre-game will start around 5:30pm and the game will follow at 6:00pm on Sunny.FM.
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