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Negaunee Miners girls basketball team overcomes slow start, Republic-Michigamme drops heartbreaker by a single point

NEGAUNEE — The Mike O’Donnell era started inauspiciously for the Negaunee High School girls basketball team on Tuesday night.

But the malaise lasted less than a quarter before the Miners got revved up and took a 60-15 victory over Manistique.

Negaunee had just one point until the final minute of the first quarter when sophomore Lilly Nelson drained a pair of 3-pointers and senior Chloe Norman hit a 2-point basket to stake the Miners to a 9-4 lead after one.

“We came out a bit nervous early and there seemed to be a lid on the rim,” O’Donnell said. “It took us over 7 1/2 minutes before we got our first basket. But Lilly Nelson drained two big 3s … and that seemed to loosen us up.”

From there, the Miners got rolling, scoring at least 15 points in every succeeding quarter and took leads of 25-7 and 45-11 after the second and third periods, respectively.

“Overall, we did some things well, but we also struggled at times,” O’Donnell said.

Nelson and sophomore teammate Alyssa Hill shared scoring honors with 17 points apiece, Nelson sinking five 3-pointers and Hill making eight 2-pointers. Hill was also her team’s leading rebounder with 11.

“(Nelson) really helped stretch the defense tonight in her first varsity game, so that was very exciting to see out of her,” the coach said.

Norman added 13 points to go with six rebounds and five steals as Negaunee turned the ball over 11 times.

Manistique was paced by senior Emilee McDaniel and junior Kayla Muth with four points each.

The Emeralds get right back into action on Thursday with a home game against Munising, while the Miners plays at Gladstone on Friday.

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Lake Linden-Hubbell 43, Republic-Michigamme 42

At Republic, the home Hawks looked to get the season off to a positive start, leading 30-25 heading into the final quarter.

But the Lakes rallied, outscoring R-M 18-12 in the fourth, and hung on late for the victory.

Tailyn Raisanen led the Hawks with 20 points, while Allie Radcliffe had 10. Kaitlyn Baccus and Jamie Hendrickson both had 15 points for LL-H.

“It was back and forth the whole game,” R-M head coach April Radcliffe said. “The girls got into some foul trouble, so I had four girls on the court with four fouls. They got up ahead by five and then we slowly made our way back, but we didn’t catch up at the very end.

“Tailyn had a very good night. Lots of steals and just made all the buckets. She went right past them and scored. She had a very quiet 20 out there.

“We did a lot of things right and we’re definitely going to work on the things that we’re a little weak on.”

The Lakes also won the JV game 36-20.

The Hawks are back in action Thursday night in Chassell.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee and Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. Email them at sports@miningjournal.net.

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