Central Lake’s Fast Start, Stifling Defense Power 59-29 Win Over Onaway

Central Lake used a dominant first quarter and sustained defensive pressure to roll past Onaway 59-29 on Wednesday, building an early 18-point lead and never relinquishing control.

The Trojans set the tone immediately with a 21-3 advantage in the first quarter, overwhelming the Cardinals with full-court pressure and active hands in the passing lanes. Onaway never found an answer for Central Lake’s defensive intensity, as the Trojans went on to post scoring advantages in three of the four quarters and kept the Cardinals under double digits in three frames.

Onaway’s best stretch came in the second quarter, when the Cardinals outscored Central Lake 13-10 to trim the deficit slightly before halftime. But any momentum was short-lived. Central Lake regrouped out of the break, responding with an 18-11 third quarter that reestablished a comfortable cushion heading into the final eight minutes. The Trojans then closed the game emphatically, holding Onaway to just two points in the fourth quarter while adding 10 of their own to finish off the 30-point victory.

Balanced scoring and interior dominance fueled Central Lake’s offense. Abby Miller recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, adding three steals and three blocks as she impacted the game on both ends of the floor. Joelyssa Hayden provided steady backcourt production with 13 points, four rebounds and six assists, effectively orchestrating the Trojans’ attack and helping create high-percentage looks for teammates.

Central Lake also received key contributions from its supporting cast. Aspen Evans finished with 12 points, three rebounds, and two steals, giving the Trojans another consistent scoring option. Myla Hibbard added eight points and two steals, while Claire Shooks chipped in six points along with four steals and two assists, reflecting the team-wide defensive pressure that bothered Onaway throughout the night. Maleeya Hibbard filled up the stat sheet with four points, six rebounds, and five assists, and Charlie Goltz added a point and two rebounds off the bench.

Defensively, Central Lake’s ball pressure and commitment to rebounding were decisive as the Trojans outrebounded the Cardinals 40-27. The Trojans limited Onaway to three points in the first quarter and two in the fourth, turning live-ball turnovers into transition opportunities and controlling the glass to limit second-chance chances for the Cardinals. That defensive consistency allowed Central Lake to withstand its only setback of the night, the second quarter, when Onaway briefly found its rhythm offensively.

With the win, Central Lake improves to 9-5 overall and 6-5 in Ski-Valley Conference play, strengthening its position in the league race. The Trojans’ performance against Onaway highlighted both their depth and their defensive identity, traits that will be critical as they move deeper into the conference schedule.

Central Lake will travel to Bellaire Thursday night for another conference showdown against the Eagles. Gametime is slated for approximately 7:30 p.m.