Finally, Posen claims a regional championship–(with video)
by Peter Jakey—Managing Editor
Posen girls’ basketball has won 16 district championships in 40 years, but never have they gone to the next level. They are now.
The second-ranked Lady Vikings (25-0) punched their ticket to a Tuesday quarterfinal game with number one ranked Crystal Falls Forest Park. The game will be played at Sault Ste. Marie High School at 7 p.m.
After five consecutive trips to regional tournaments and three straight finals’ appearances, the Vikings broke through with an inspiring 56-37 win over Brimley.
Seniors Korynn Hincka, Ashley Meyers and Austin Sharpe, who wanted to bring that regional trophy home more than anything, led their teammates with unmatched desire to the title.
“I tell you what, you dream about that moment for a long, long time, and it feels even better when it comes,” said an exuberant Posen coach Karl Momrik. “Those kids played so hard, so well. We just knew we were not going be denied.” Momrik said it was the most complete game his squad had played all year. They got off to a slow start and were down 11-6 early in the second quarter.
The Vikings were not getting the offensive boards, nor were they making free throws. They were uncharacteristically 0-for-8 in the first half. Meyers also was attempting 3-pointers that were missing the mark.
Momrik still liked they way his girls were playing.
“We took great shots and good care of the ball, and we played unbelievable defense. That’s why we won,” said Momrik.
The comeback started on a Jenna Hincka jumper. The sophomore, who has great ball handling skills, has had an exceptional 2014 tournament.
Korynn’s jumper and lay up put Posen ahead by one at the five-minute mark, 12-11. All the while, Brimley was notching fouls in the scorer’s book.
Jenna made another “J” for a three-point lead, which was answered by the Bays Anne Archabeau. However, Meyers nailed her first 3-pointer with two to play for a 17-13 lead. It ignited an 11-2 run.
Korynn was sensational, getting a steal and going the other way for a lay up and getting a deuce at the end of a fast break. She also had a couple of blocks.
The halftime lead was 25-17.
Posen led by 10 with 6:23 remaining in the third, 28-18, when Brimley went on their best run of the game, outscoring the Vikings, 9-2.
Brimley’s big girl, Hana Vesela, put down a shot and made free throw for a 3-point play to get the Bays within four, 29-25. Moments later, she got a put back basket and it was only a two-point ball game.
Brimley had the momentum on their side when Meyers stemmed the tide with the biggest 3-pointers of her career. Both shots came from the right wing, and both were in front of the Posen bench and fans. They went nuts when the shots found the net.
“In the beginning, I knew I wasn’t shooting too good, but I could not give up,” said Meyers. “It was a great feeling.” The score was 35-27 with 2:38 left in the third.
With Meyers getting the job done from outside, Korynn kept scoring down low. She made a jumper in the paint on a great pass from Sharpe, and on her next trip in, she was hammered by the Brimley defense and limped to the bench with 36 seconds left in the quarter.
Eighth-grader Cami LaTulip went into the game and made both free throws even though she said after the game what a nervous moment it was.
To concentrate on making the shots she focused on her team. “They wanted this more than anything. I played for my them tonight.” LaTulip stayed in the game until the end of the quarter, and to the delight of her teammates and coaches, she made a shot before Korynn came back in in the fourth. The youngster boosted Posen’s lead from 12 to 16 and the Vikings coasted the rest of the way as Brimley’s best ball handler, Tabitha Graham, went out early in the fourth with five fouls.
Posen played the time management game the rest of the way. Meyers was four-for-four from the free throw line in
Korynn has been to the regional tournament all five years she has been on varsity, and to finally bring it home to Posen, “means a lot.”
How bad?
“So bad, I can’t even…I worked for five years for this moment,” she added. “I can’t even explain it, it is so awesome.”
Korynn Hincka had 28 hard-fought points, while Meyers was clutch from outside with 14.
The girls received a police escort through the village when they arrived back in town.
Posen athletic director Jack Gebauer said two fan buses would be making the trip to the Soo. It is $25 a seat. Reservations can be made by calling the school.