Kamin’s career-high lifts Esky to victory
Trending
ESCANABA -- Nicole Kamin enjoyed a career night here Friday, helping the Escanaba girls post a 61-48 basketball victory over the Alpena Wildcats.
The 5-foot-11 junior guard tossed in a career-high 28 points to go with 10 rebounds and five steals in this non-conference contest.
"The lane was open a lot," she said. "The girls are always looking to get the ball inside. When I drive and somebody sags on me, I can kick it out to the perimeter and they can knock down the shots."
Senior Taylor Ray added 16 points, including a 20-foot jump shot from the right wing which gave Esky (5-3) an 18-12 lead early in the second quarter.
"(Kamin and (Ray) definitely hurt us," said Alpena coach Erin Andrews. "(Kamin) is good. She had a good night from the free throw line (6-of-10). She goes to the basket well."
Alpena led 12-9 late in the opening frame. Ray then tied the score with her first trifecta, marking the beginning of 14-0 run.
The Eskymos extended their lead to 23-12 with two minutes, 35 seconds left in the second stanza when Kamin split a pair of free throws.
"In the second quarter, we were able to get the momentum going," said Kamin. "We were able to run more of our plays and get all the girls in, which is good."
Esky led 31-21 at halftime and extended its advantage to as much as 41-26 with 2:15 remaining in the third quarter.
The Wildcats (3-3) responded with six unanswered points, trimming their deficit to 41-32 on a six-foot set shot by sophomore Jenna Leeck.
Kamin drove down the boulevard for a layup, giving Esky a 43-32 cushion with 16 seconds left in the third.
Alpena, however, got back within nine points on a 10-foot set shot by sophomore guard Allison Urlaub in the closing seconds of the third.
Esky answered with a 10-0 run, extending its lead to 53-34 on a scoop shot by Ray with five minutes left in the contest.
"We felt we were quicker," said Esky coach Mike Beveridge. "They just couldn't match up with us and Nicole. They tried to press 3-4 times and we scored 3-4 layups, then they had to pull it off. I felt we did a poor job taking good shots. We forced things a few times too many. The girls like to play fast, but we could have been a little more patient. Although, all nine of our girls played hard. We got a run in the fourth quarter and kept a double-figure lead."
Senior Jade Schultz led the Wildcats with 15 points and Leeck had 10.
"Jade is usually good for 15-20 points and Macy Dickinson played well," said Andrews. "Even though Macy scored only two points, she got some big rebounds and steals for us in the second half. We're happy to get close to 50 points, especially after being on Christmas Break and a four-hour bus ride. Only, we need to play 32 minutes and not wait until the third quarter."
Both teams struggled from the free throw line. Esky hit 13-of-23 shots and Alpena finished 9-of-26.
The Eskymos committed 15 turnovers and the Wildcats had 22.
"They were a good team and they played hard for four quarters," said Beveridge.
"We just couldn't put them away. I felt they got better as the game went on. They made a couple mistakes and we took advantage of those. We came out aggressive on defense and forced some turnovers. I felt our defense was solid all night."
Esky, which also won the jayvee game 50-29, hosts Gwinn Thursday. Alpena hosts West Branch Ogemaw Heights Monday.
Alpena 12 9 13 14 -- 48
Escanaba 13 18 12 18 -- 61
Alpena -- DeRocher 5, Dickinson 2, Leeck 10, Schultz 15, Trelfa 8, Urlaub 6, Young 2. FT: 9-26; F: 19; Fouled out: Young; 3-point field goal: Urlaub.
Escanaba -- Barron 4, Kamin 28, Monkevich 2, Smith 1, Wallin 4, Ray 16, Bink 6. FT: 13-23; F: 21; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Ray 2.