Lady Wykons varsity basketball start season 2–1

By Patrick Browne
IRON RIVER – On Dec. 6, the Lady Wykons varsity basketball team defeated the Mountaineers of Iron Mountain 53–29 for their second win of the season. With only one loss, the Lady Wykons are competitive and, in the words of their coach Eric Shamion, “feisty on defense and sharing the ball well.”
In their first game of the season and only loss (Nov. 29), the Wykons lost by six points to the Hancock Bulldogs, but pulled even in both the third and fourth quarters in a game that could have gone either way. An impressive team effort just wasn’t enough, but the loss proved the team is competitive and should have a good season. 
Three days later, on Dec. 2 in their second game of the year, the team evened their record at 1–1 with a 24-point victory over Bessemer, 59–35.
Shamion, in his sixth year for the Wykons, said he is excited for the season. With 10 girls, all of whom can contribute, his team should make a good showing. 
Shamion is both knowledgeable and experienced. As a former Wykon basketball player who played in the 1991 state championship game, he has a goal of creating great memories for the team.  
“Understanding that the high school years pass quickly, the goal for the year is to create lasting memories the girls will feel good about for the rest of their lives,” he said. 
Calli Pellizzer and Danica Shamion, both seniors and both outstanding multi-sport athletes, are co-captains for this year’s team and have plenty of experience.  
“I’m very optimistic about this team,” Shamion said. “We have plenty of athletic ability and we are going to be very competitive throughout the season.
“We have a new junior varsity coach who is also teaching at West Iron. As a sixth-grade math teacher, she saw the team needed a coach and was willing to step into the position. We are very excited to welcome Connie Smith and feel she will be a great addition to our program.”