OVID-ELSIE — The year was 1984. Ovid-Elsie’s girls basketball team was coached by the legendary Mary Hudecek, and led by all-league standout Mary Perrien.
It was the last time the Marauders would win a conference championship. Until February 18, 2022, that is.
A 67-22 blowout victory over Mt. Morris gave coach Ryan Cunningham’s team the outright Mid-Michigan Activities Conference (MMAC) championship, its first league crown since 1984.
O-E climbed to 17-0 overall, 13-0 in the MMAC, while the visiting Panthers remained winless. The Marauders jumped out to a 26-3 advantage after one
quarter and never looked back. Leading the charge on offense and defense for O-E was sophomore Evalyn Cole, with seven steals and 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the field.
“Evalyn did an amazing job at both ends of the floor,” coach Cunningham said. “Her energy was contagious and it helped propel us to this monumental win.”
Another sophomore, Ava Bates, was the team’s second-leading scorer, with 10. Bates also shared the team lead in rebounds with Hailee Campbell at six.
Leading scorer on the year, senior Caitlyn Walter scored nine points.
Marauder Scoring: Rylee Lewis 3 0-0 6, Kaylee Hall 1 0-0 2, Caitlyn Walter 4 0-0 9, Braylon Byrnes 3 0-0 6, Braeden Tokar 3 2-2 8, Evalyn Cole 7 2-2 17, Hailee Campbell 2 5-6 9, Ava Bates 3 3-3 10.
OVID-ELSIE — Dylan Carmen led the way with 21 points, and eight different Marauders found the scoring column as Ovid-Elsie’s varsity boys basketball team dismantled Mt. Morris, 81-63, in Mid-Michigan Activities Conference (MMAC) action here February 18.
Coach Josh Latz’s Marauders maintained a one-game lead over Chesaning (13-4, 10-2) in the MMAC race at 11-1, 15-1 overall. The Panthers kept sending O-E to the free throw line — the hosts shot 35 free throws — and that was a big factor, as the Marauders made 22 of them.
Axel Newell with 14 points and Clay Wittbenberg 13, joined Carmen in double-figures scoring for the Marauders. Adam Barton and Wittenberg each pulled down 9 rebounds. The Panthers fell to 6-7 in the MMAC, 709 overall with the loss.
OVID-ELSIE SCORING: Braxton Stenger 2 2-6 6, Axel Newell 4 5-6 14, Jacob Tomasek 4 1-2 9, Adam Barton 2 2-2 7, Dylan Carman 7 2-4 21, Alex Eichenberg 1 0-0 3, Clay Wittenberg 4 5-9 13, Logan Thompson 1 5-6 8.
Regional Champ –
OE Sophomore, Talon Parsons
captured a Regional Championship on
February19th at Howard City. The
103 pounder touts a record of 33-1
record as he prepares for State
competition next Friday, March 4th
at Ford Field.
Headed to States –
Eight area wrestlers are headed to Ford Field to compete in the State Wrestling Finals on Friday-Sunday, March 4th-6th. Representing the Marauders are. Talan Parsons and Cole Workman along with Sam Grubaugh and Sharla Juhas. Representing the Laingsburg Woflpack are Aden Baynes, Seth Sivak, Mikey Brooks
and Sean Divine. See pages 8-9 for more
sports coverage.
