Balanced attack, stifling defense lead Central Lake past Pellston 67-7 on Senior Night

Central Lake used a dominant defensive effort and a balanced offensive attack to roll past Pellston 67-7 on Senior Night in Central Lake. The Trojans seized control from the opening tip, building a 21-3 lead after the first quarter and never allowing the Hornets to recover, triggering a running clock in the second half once the margin passed 40 points.

The tone was set early as Central Lake outscored Pellston 21-3 in the first quarter, pressuring the ball and turning steals into transition opportunities. That defensive intensity only increased in the second quarter, when the Trojans held Pellston scoreless while adding 16 more points to take a commanding 37-3 advantage into halftime. With the outcome effectively decided, Central Lake continued to execute on both ends, maintaining its focus and discipline despite the lopsided score.

Central Lake’s most explosive stretch came after the break. The Trojans opened the third quarter on another extended run, outscoring Pellston 18-2 in the frame to stretch the lead to 55-5 and initiate the running clock provision once the margin exceeded 40 points. Even with a continuous clock in the fourth quarter, Central Lake closed the game with a 12-2 edge over the final eight minutes, finishing the night with a 60-point victory and control of the tempo from start to finish.

Center Abby Miller led Central Lake’s offense with an all-around performance, totaling 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 assists, and 1 block. Her presence in the paint on both ends anchored the Trojans, as she converted around the rim and disrupted Pellston’s attempts to attack inside. Forward Joelyssa Hayden added 17 points to go with 2 rebounds and 4 steals, providing consistent scoring on the wing and contributing to the defensive pressure that kept Pellston off balance throughout the contest.

Central Lake’s guard play also proved decisive. Myla Hibbard finished with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals, impacting the game on the glass and in passing lanes. Fellow guard Maleeya Hibbard nearly posted a double-double with 7 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, while also dishing out 8 assists and collecting 2 steals, effectively orchestrating the offense and finding teammates for high-percentage looks. Their combined work on the perimeter helped fuel the Trojans’ repeated scoring runs in each quarter.

The evening carried added significance as Senior Night for Aspen Evans, Charleanne Goltz, Joelyssa Hayden, and Claire Shooks, and all four seniors reached the scoring column. Evans contributed 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists, while Shooks added 3 points and 1 rebound from the backcourt. Goltz chipped in 2 points and 2 rebounds in the frontcourt, rounding out a night in which Central Lake’s senior class played a visible role in the decisive conference victory.

With the win, Central Lake secured fourth place in the Ski-Valley Conference and closed the regular season with an 11-8 record. The Trojans enter postseason play with momentum, backed by a stingy defense that allowed just 7 points and an offense that produced consistent scoring in all four quarters. The performance on Senior Night provided both a fitting tribute to the program’s veterans and a strong statement about the team’s form heading into the next phase of the season.