Relentless Press, Balanced Attack Power Central Lake Past Pellston 70-18

Central Lake used a suffocating full-court press and a series of dominant early runs to overwhelm Pellston 70-18 in a Ski-Valley Conference road matchup Wednesday night in Pellston.

The Trojans seized control from the opening tip, racing out to a 20-5 lead after the first quarter and never allowing the Lady Hornets to settle into any kind of rhythm. Central Lake then blew the game open in the second quarter with a 27-2 surge, turning defensive pressure into transition opportunities and carrying a commanding 47-7 advantage into halftime.

Central Lake’s press set the tone throughout the night, as the Trojans forced Pellston into repeated mistakes and collected 14 steals. That pressure not only kept the Hornets in single digits in every quarter but also fueled an efficient offensive effort, in which the Trojans converted turnovers into layups and open looks. Central Lake continued to control play after the break, outscoring Pellston 11-4 in the third quarter and 12-7 in the fourth to close out the 52-point victory.

Abby Miller led Central Lake with a team-high 19 points and nearly posted a double-double, adding 9 rebounds as she anchored the Trojans’ interior presence. Myla Hibbard stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists, playing a key role in both the press and the transition game. Her activity in the passing lanes helped sustain Central Lake’s pressure and keep Pellston on its heels.

Joelyssa Hayden finished with 12 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, effectively directing the offense and finding teammates in stride. Maleeya Hibbard added 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 5 assists, highlighting Central Lake’s unselfish approach in the half-court and on the break. With multiple ballhandlers creating off the dribble and sharing the ball, Pellston struggled to contain all options.

Production extended deep into the lineup as well. Aspen Evans contributed 7 points and 3 rebounds, providing additional scoring punch, while Claire Shooks turned in a balanced effort with 6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists. In total, the Trojans handed out 17 assists on 27 made field goals and turned the ball over only 10 times, underscoring a disciplined offensive performance to match their defensive intensity.

With the decisive conference win, Central Lake (6-4, 4-4 SV) showcased a combination of pressure defense, balance, and ball movement that will be critical as the Trojans move deeper into Ski-Valley play. If the press continues to generate opportunities and the offense maintains this level of efficiency and sharing, Central Lake figures to remain a difficult matchup for opponents the rest of the season.