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LaFave, Jenshak Power Eskymos Past Sault, 48-45
 Click HERE to see all U.P. Girls Basketball Scores/Schedules ESCANABA---Olivia Nash is gone, and she is tearing it up at Oakland University the same way she did for the Escanaba Eskymos over four years of high school varsity baketball. Trista Barron. Erin Connor. Also gone. Also playing college basketball. So who does Kelly O'Connell have left as this 2012-13 high school season begins? 
Codi Jenshak drives on the baseline.
The Blue Devils had scored 61 points in a victory over Alpena last week, but the Eskymos held them to just eight points in the first half, and then hung on for a 48-45 victory at the Escanaba High School gym. "We graduated seven really good seniors last year," O'Connell said. "I just told this team from Day One that we've just got to come out every day and try to get better. "There's some things that we definately have to clean up," he continued, "but I tell you what, I thought my girls battled hard for four quarters." Escanaba led, 10-6, after the first quarter. Then the Eskymos held the Blue Devils to just two points in a foul-filled second quarter. The Eskymos led, 16-8, at halftime. Sault Ste. Marie came out strong early in the third quarter, scoring six straight points to close to within two. And later in the third quarter, the Blue Devils grabbed a 21-20 lead after Kylee Fitzpatrick scored on an offensive rebound and put-back. But Michelle LaFave scored a basket and then Codi Jenshak came back with a steal, basket, and foul, to put the Eskymos back in front, 25-21. It was a 31-27 Escanaba lead after three quarters. 
Jessica Beauchamp (22) works in the paint Saturday.
Escanaba led, 46-39, after that run, but the team's youth showed in the final 90 seconds. The Eskymos committed turnovers on three consecutive plays, and on four of five possessions. The Blue Devils closed to within 46-45, and had a chance to take the lead, but could not convert on the offensive end. LaFave calmly sank two free throws with 22 seconds left to make it 48-45. The Blue Devils came up court with plenty of time, but the Eskymo defense was strong, keeping the guards pinned along the sideline. All the Soo could manage was a desperation heave that was nowhere close to the basket, and the Eskymos celebrated a big win. "We did a lot of good things," O'Connell said. "And there are things that we're gonna clean up. I'm real proud because we don't have a lot of experience back. We had to battle some issues this week (Sam Connor's injured shoulder was one of them), but I'm real proud of our basketball team." LaFave, a sophomore, had 16 points and grabbed 19 rebounds to lead the Eskymos. Jenshak added 15 points. The Soo was led by Parmer's 11 points. Click the thumbnails in the "ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS" box to see pictures and video highlights, and to hear O'Connell's post-game comments. 
The scoreboard does not lie. The Eskymos upset the Sault Blue Devils on Saturday.
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| Date | Time | Opponent | Score | Record |
11/27 |
7:20 PM |
at Calumet Copper Kings
|
37 - 51 (L)
|
0-1
|
12/1 |
2:45 PM |
Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils
|
48 - 45 (W)
|
1-1
|
12/4 |
7:45 PM |
at Negaunee Miners
|
35 - 46 (L)
|
1-2
|
12/11 |
7:30 PM |
at Gwinn Model Towners
|
45 - 39 (W)
|
2-2
|
12/13 |
7:30 PM |
Ishpeming Hematites
|
38 - 49 (L)
|
2-3
|
12/18 |
7:30 PM |
at Houghton Gremlins
|
25 - 49 (L)
|
2-4
|
1/4 |
7:15 PM |
at Gladstone Braves
|
33 - 35 (L)
|
2-5
|
1/8 |
7:30 PM |
Marquette Redmen
|
35 - 52 (L)
|
2-6
|
1/10 |
8:00 PM |
at Kingsford Flivvers
|
33 - 48 (L)
|
2-7
|
1/14 |
7:30 PM |
Menominee Maroons
|
40 - 28 (W)
|
3-7
|
1/17 |
7:20 PM |
at Marquette Redmen
|
31 - 53 (L)
|
3-8
|
1/23 |
7:30 PM |
Negaunee Miners
|
33 - 44 (L)
|
3-9
|
1/25 |
7:30 PM |
Iron Mountain Mountaineers
|
34 - 47 (L)
|
3-10
|
2/1 |
7:30 PM |
Houghton Gremlins
|
38 - 64 (L)
|
3-11
|
2/5 |
7:30 PM |
Kingsford Flivvers
|
36 - 45 (L)
|
3-12
|
2/7 |
7:30 PM |
Calumet Copper Kings
|
25 - 54 (L)
|
3-13
|
2/12 |
7:30 PM |
Gladstone Braves
|
47 - 46 (W)
|
4-13
|
2/14 |
7:45 PM |
at Ishpeming Hematites
|
40 - 45 (L)
|
4-14
|
2/16 |
3:30 PM |
DeTour Red Raiders
|
42 - 50 (L)
|
4-15
|
2/21 |
8:00 PM |
at Menominee Maroons
|
32 - 53 (L)
|
4-16
|
2/25 |
6:00 PM |
at Kingsford Flivvers
|
34 - 46 (L)
|
4-17
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