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WIC Senior, Danica Shamion #24 reaching to block Flivvers Offensive player #23 Anna Bortolini’s shot at the basket. Photo by Kevin Zini
WIC Senior, Danica Shamion #24 reaching to block Flivvers Offensive player #23 Anna Bortolini’s shot at the basket.
Photo by Kevin Zini
By Patrick Browne
IRON RIVER — The Lady Wykons (1–3) got their season off to a challenging start when senior point guard Danica Shamion went down in the first game of the year with an injury on Dec. 5. Giving it their all to compete during Shamion’s subsequent three-game absence, the Wykons were unable to overcome and dropped all three games heading into winter break.
On Jan. 2 the Lady Wykons were back on the floor at full strength. West Iron overcame the Flivvers of Kingsford, 42–28 and are now one game away from evening their record.
As the game got underway, both teams struggled to put points on the board. With only two field goals and one free throw, the Wykons managed to outscore the Flivvers, who were only able to sink two shots in the first eight minutes of the game.
The first quarter ended with an uncharacteristic score of 5–4.
“We started out slow,” Wykons Coach Eric Shamion said.
As the game progressed, the teams found their rhythms with five Wykons finding the hoop in the second quarter. Kaitlyn Smith and Lacey Shamion both hit from beyond the arc. Sidney Storti and Haiden Gill contributed two-pointers, and Danica Shamion made two free throws. The Wykons were up by 10 at the half, 17–7.
The Flivvers did not go away however and outscored West Iron 10–7 in the third quarter to keep the game within reach.
“Our defense relaxed a bit in the third quarter and we let Kingsford back in the game,” Coach Shamion said.
Seanna Stine’s five third-quarter points kept the Wykons on top, but with only a seven-point lead, 27–20, the game was still winnable for either team.
As has been typical of the Wykons the past two years, the fourth quarter was their time to shine. Danica Shamion found her way to the basket on multiple occasions and took control of the game, scoring 10 of her game-high 16 points. With Danica Shamion hitting two three-pointers and Gill one, the Wykons built on their lead and never looked back.
“It’s nice to get back in the win column!”’ Coach Shamion said.
Outstanding effort on the part of Storti who pulled down 11 rebounds, kept the Flivvers from getting second chance opportunities after missed shots. With an impressive sinking of six three-pointers — Danica Shamion with two and teammates Gill, Stine, Smith and Lacey Shamion all sinking one — the Wykons demonstrated they are talented and a threat from anywhere on the court.