ISHPEMING — The MHSAA Division 3 district tournament is still about six weeks away, but the Westwood girls basketball team is starting to show what its truly capable of.

The Patriots scored more than 60 points for the second straight game Monday as they defeated Iron Mountain 63-33.

Madi Koski led Westwood with 16 points, while Ellie Miller dropped in 10. Reagan Lundholm was the Mountaineers’ leader with 12 points.

“The girls came out of the gates firing, building a 7-0 lead in the first minute, but Lundholm was able to keep it a game, scoring 12 of their 17 first half points,” Patriots head coach Kurt Corcoran said. “Tessa (Leece) put the clamps down in the second half, holding her scoreless while we went on a 23-0 run. The girls moved the ball better tonight than they have all season and Ellie had her second double-double in a row coming off the bench.”

Westwood led 15-7 after the first quarter and 28-17 at halftime. The Patriots kept rolling in the third quarter, outscoring IM 15-5.

———————–

West Iron County 36, Ishpeming 26

At Ishpeming, the Hematites couldn’t overcome their shooting woes.

Rylee Harris led Ishpeming with nine points, while WIC’s Emily Nelson led all scorers with 13.

“We did some really good things defensively, but didn’t help ourselves on the offensive end,” Hematites head coach Ryan Reichel said. “Throughout the season, our Achilles heel has been our inability to consistently put the ball in the basket. We have to continue to work for the rest of the season to give ourselves a chance to compete (at) district time.

“Nelson’s skill set is amazing. We threw two and three people at her and she managed to still make the right plays. Michigan Tech got a great recruit in her. Defensively, she forced us to shoot a few more outside shots and when you’re not hitting them, it really helps their team.”

The Wykons only led by three after one quarter, but started to pull away in the second, outscoring the Hematites 12-7 to extend their lead to 21-13 at halftime. WIC then maintained a small advantage the rest of the way.

————————

Superior Central 57, Republic-Michigamme 48

At Eben, the Cougars got a strong performance from Elizabeth Molag and outlasted the Hawks in the second half.

Molag led SC with 26 points, while Tailyn Raisanen had 23 points for R-M.

The Cougars led 15-8 after the first quarter, but the Hawks came back to tie it up at 23-23 at the half. SC held a slim 37-33 advantage after the third and then managed to hold on in the fourth to come out with the win.

R-M heads to Ewen-Trout Creek tonight, while SC hosts Mid Peninsula Monday.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.