Girls District predictions

Leipprandt will lead Ubly to victory; can anyone beat BCAS?
BY CHRIS OGRYSKI
EDITOR

The key to making a run in the post-season is to peak at the right time and that is exactly what Ubly’s Alicia Leipprandt is doing. Leipprandt, who has scored 30 points or more in three straight games (38 vs. Mayville, 35 vs. Harbor Beach and 32 vs. Bad Axe) and seven times this season, is one of the Thumb’s most well-rounded hoops players ever. Not only is she averaging around 27 points per game, she is also grabbing around 11 rebounds pg, dishing three or four assists and adding two or three steals.
When you add in the supporting cast that is starting to emerge around her in Lyndsay White, Nicole Franzel and Camay Messing, I think they have just enough to win in a tough field.
Class C Districts @ Bad Axe
Monday, March 2
EPBP vs. Ubly
This one should be tough one as the Lakers beat Ubly 55-46 in their only meeting of the year. EPBP has a pretty diverse cast of players who are capable of leading the team in scoring on any given night including Stephanie Maxwell, Ashley Hatfield, Shelby Pietruck, Chelsea Dubey and Jamie Kohr.
In that early season win, Pietruck led the team with 21 and was within six of Leipprandt, who had 27. If someone on the Lakers, anyone on the Lakers, can keep within six of Leipprandt, EPBP will have a great chance in this one.
However, Leipprandt is on such a roll at this point, I don’t know who, if anyone, can slow her down, let alone stop her. Prediction: Ubly wins a close one by six or seven.
Cass City vs. Bad Axe
In their first meeting of the season, the Red Hawks escaped with a 46-41 win.
While the Hatchets have won just one league game this season and three overall, I like what I’ve seen from Bad Axe in the last month or two, as Sam Breault has really emerged as a scoring threat for the Hatchets.
If Bad Axe can get another scorer to step up and get into double figures (in their first game against the Red Hawks, Taylor Breault scored 14 and two other players had seven points apiece) added to the fact they are playing home, I think it spells upset win for Bad Axe. Prediction: Hatchets win a squeaker.
Wednesday, March 4
USA vs. Ubly
The Patriots are dangerous with their version of the triple threat, Jillian Williamson, Dani Gremel and Estey Ruppal. But earlier in the season, USA lost to Ubly by 13, with Gremel being the only player to reach double figures with 13.
While the Patriots are on a nice win streak right now, having seen them play against All Saints and reading about their struggles against Reese, I just don’t think they will have enough to knock off the Bearcats. Prediction: Leipprandt breaks 30 and the Bearcats win by 8-10.
Harbor Beach vs. Bad Axe
The Pirates were 51-37 winners when they two teams faced off in Bad Axe earlier this season, I see a similar result coming in this one. Harbor Beach has been playing some of their best ball of the season during recent stretches and should have enough to knock off the Hatchets. Look for a balanced scoring effort led by Kaylee Lochrie in this one. Prediction: Pirates by 12.
Friday, March 6
Ubly vs. Harbor Beach
Look for another close game similar to the overtime contest these two teams had a few weeks back. Prediction: The Bearcats win a tough one, closer than most would expect, by about five points.

Class D Girls @ North Huron
Monday, March 2
Caseville vs. Port Hope
These two met last week and went to double O.T., this one ends in regulation…this time it goes Caseville’s way. Look for Meaghan Fortsch, Bethany Grates and Rebecca Janke to all hit double figures for the Eagles. Prediction: Caseville by 5.
OG vs. NH
Amanda Faist has come on in the second half for the Bulldogs, but doesn’t have enough talent around her to pull off the upset. The Warriors win this one big. Prediction: North Huron by 15.
Wednesday, March 4
BCAS vs. Caseville
I think the Eagles hang with them early, but in the end the Cougars have too much depth and too much experience against Class C teams. All Saints win big, too. Prediction: Cougars by 17.
Akron-Fairgrove vs. North Huron
The Vikings have yet to win a game against a league opponent this year, they won’t win one her either. Prediction: North Huron by 15.
Friday, March 6
BCAS vs. North Huron
Seeing how Bad Axe beat North Huron and that All Saints are ahead of the Hatchets in the standings…I see this one going the Cougar’s way, but not as lopsided as the BA vs. NH game from the holiday tourney. Prediction: Cougars win by 16.