HARRIS - The Rapid River and Bark River-Harris girls gained some valuable pointers here Tuesday night that may help for district tournaments next week.
"If we can play a team with that ability for three of four quarters, then we know we can play with that type of team," Rapid River coach Eric Lundin said after his Rockets dropped a 75-58 girls basketball decision to the top-ranked Broncos.
"These are the type of games we need to play before districts, what you learn from it."
Article Photos
Dennis Grall | Daily Press
Kristi Kerstner, center, of Rapid River chases a loose ball between Brittany Klee, left, and Kylie VanBrocklin of Bark River-Harris in the fourth quarter Tuesday at Harris. For more photos, visit cu.dailypress.net.
BR-H broke open the duel Skyline-Central U.P. game in the second quarter in a game that was conducted at a high tempo marked by long stretches of ragged play created by the hectic pace. There were 61 turnovers, 32 by the Rockets. BR-H had 28 steals.
"They got us rattled a little bit and we quit looking down court," Schultz said of the scrappy full-court pressure applied by the Rockets. "We took better care of the ball in the second half."
The Broncos broke the game open with a 17-2 burst to close out the first half with a 49-34 lead. BR-H held a 22-4 cushion over the final 5:17 of the half.
Fact Box
Rapid River 24 10 13 11 - 58
BR-Harris 22 27 20 6 - 75
Rapid River - T. Bintner 6, Kanyuh 1, Judson 11, Monticello 6, Sanderson 19, K. Bintner 13, Kerstner 2. FT: 8-14; F: 16; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals - K. Bintner 3, Judson 3.
Bark River-Harris - R. Madalinski 2, J. Madalinski 39, A. Madalinski 8, Derusha 4, Petrie 4, S. Madalinski 17, VanBrocklin 1. FT: 9-14; F: 16; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals - J. Madalinski, S. Madalinski.
"We had one bad quarter," said Lundin, noting the other three stanzas were competitive. "We gave them a nice run, but that one stretch, that one spurt, we couldn't bounce back from."
Jaime Madalinski, who set a single-game scoring record with 39 points, had 11 in that quarter for the Broncos. Sarah Madalinski joined the 1,000-point club in that stanza, when she scored seven of her 17 points.
Rapid River's pressure defense and sizzling early shooting provided an indication this was not going to be a game that would just play out the end of the regular season.
"Every time they got a clean look, it was down," Schultz said of the Rockets, who buried four 3-point baskets in the first quarter for a 24-22 lead. Kelly Bintner and Kaylee Judson each hit two triples.
BR-H blew the game open in the third quarter as the Madalinski sisters combined for all 20 points, expanding the margin 65-41.
The Rockets hit 6-of-18 treys for the game and made 22-of-50 field goals. Senior Heather Sanderson, despite giving up size inside, had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the fifth-ranked Rockets (13-6 overall, 8-4 CUP and Skyline).
The Broncos (19-1 overall, 11-1 Skyline, 12-0 CUP) hit 32-of-75 field goals. Sarah Madalinski also had 15 rebounds and seven assists while Jaime had eight rebounds.
"Jaime had a phenomenal game," said Lundin. "She had great body control tonight and avoided contact. We were more focused on Sarah. We tried to shut her down. You try to pick your poison."
Lundin said it was critical to apply defensive pressure and play a quick tempo. "We have a hard time matching up with a team with that size," he said, noting a slower pace would really favor the Broncos.
"He was trying to stop us from getting into our offensive sets," said Schultz. "To maintain that pace, I had an advantage."
The Broncos, who won the jayvee game 59-31, open Class D district tourney play Feb. 29 at Carney-Nadeau. Rapid River ends the regular season Thursday at Munising.