Central Lake battles No. 2 Gaylord St. Mary’s but falls 51-23
| 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEN | 2 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 23 |
| GAY | 8 | 12 | 18 | 13 | 51 |
Central Lake stayed competitive early but could not withstand a decisive third-quarter surge from No. 2-ranked Gaylord St. Mary’s, falling 51-23 on Wednesday night in Central Lake.
The Snowbirds led 20-10 at halftime, but the game broke open coming out of the locker room. Gaylord St. Mary’s opened the third quarter with a 14-0 run, turning a manageable margin into a commanding lead as its full-court pressure repeatedly created turnovers and quick baskets. Central Lake was charged with 30 turnovers for the game as the visitors’ press dictated the tempo.
Despite the final margin, the Trojans produced stretches of solid play, particularly in the second quarter when they matched the Snowbirds’ intensity and found more rhythm offensively. After trailing 8-2 after the first quarter, Central Lake put up eight points in the second to stay within 10 at the break, 20-10, against one of the top-ranked teams in Michigan.
Myla Hibbard led Central Lake with 7 points and 4 rebounds, providing a steady scoring option against the Gaylord St. Mary’s press. Joelyssa Hayden filled the stat sheet with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists, helping the Trojans generate some of their own pressure and transition chances. Abby Miller added 5 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, giving Central Lake a presence on the boards and as a facilitator in the half-court, while Aspen Evans chipped in 5 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Gaylord St. Mary’s outscored Central Lake 18-8 in the third quarter and 13-5 in the fourth, using its depth and defensive pressure to maintain control. Even as the Snowbirds pulled away, the Trojans continued to compete on the glass and share the ball, with multiple players contributing in scoring, rebounding and playmaking roles.
Facing a statewide power so early in the season provided Central Lake with a clear benchmark and valuable experience against a high-intensity full-court defense. The Trojans will look to build on the positive stretches from the first half and the balanced production from Hibbard, Hayden, Miller and Evans as they move deeper into conference play.
