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Frosh Englund sparkles for Mid Pen

Avery Bundgaard | Daily Press Mid Peninsula’s Haley Trudell (3) drives to the hoop while Ashlynn Pryal (21) and Erica Rubick (12) of Rapid River defend Monday night.

ST. NICHOLAS — Kennedy Englund came up big for the Mid Peninsula girls basketball team down the stretch Monday as it defeated Rapid River 32-31 in a Class D district semifinal.

Englund hit two free throws in the final minutes to give the Wolverines a one point lead. After a missed shot from the Rockets, Englund made a clutch layup to increase the lead to three.

“She’s ice cold,” said Mid Pen coach Bobby Reichel. “She’s done it all year where she’s hit those free throws. For being a freshman she sure doesn’t play like it. She has a drive like not many I’ve seen.”

After Rapid River failed to convert at the other end Mid Pen turned the ball over with six seconds left.

The Rockets were fouled and went to the line for bonus free throws. Junior Elizabeth Goodacre made both shots but Rapid River was unable to get the ball back.

Reichel was pleased with the result but thought his team can play a lot better than it did.

“I thought we played sloppy,” said Reichel. “We need to shoot better and I think the girls know that. It’s more about taking higher percentage shots rather than sitting on the outside shooting. We need to get to that rim and I thought we didn’t do that tonight, but when you talk about being resilient I think that says a lot about the team.”

Rapid River coach Jen King expressed how proud she is of her team for fighting all game.

“They played tremendous,” said King. “They played their hearts out and left everything they had on the floor. They did what they needed to do and I’m very proud of them.”

The Wolverines rushed out to a 7-2 lead but the Rockets rallied to take an 11-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter stayed tight as both teams traded baskets and headed into halftime tied at 18.

Both teams went cold in the third quarter as Mid Pen shot 3 of 11 (27 percent) from the field and Rapid River shot 2 of 18 (11 percent). The game remained tied at 25 heading into the exciting fourth quarter.

Englund led the Wolverines with 12 points and senior Sarah Hanson added 11.

Senior Erica Rubick led the Rockets with 12 points while Goodacre added 11.

Mid Pen takes on Big Bay de Noc Wednesday for the Class D district title at St. Nicholas.

Rapid River 11 7 7 6 — 31

Mid Peninsula 9 9 7 7 — 32

Rapid River — Rubick 12, Goodacre 11, LaCosse 5, Vandeville 3; FT: 8-12; F: 11; Fouled out: none; 3-point field goals: Goodacre 1.

Mid Peninsula — Trudell 6, Croasdell 2, Hanson 11, Englund 12, Rajala 1; FT: 8-12; F: 13; Fouled out: none; 3-point field goals: Hanson 2.

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