Turnovers fuel 62-12 Ely victory

by Tom Coombe
Ely’s high school girls basketball team created turnover after turnover Feb. 18 at Babbitt.
The result was the Timberwolves’ third win of the winter.
Full-court pressure resulted in numerous steals and led to errant passes and traveling by Northeast Range, which was held to just two first-half baskets in the Arrowhead Conference affair.
Ely built a massive 35-6 lead by halftime and was on its way to a 62-12 romp.
The Timberwolves have won two of their last three games and are now 3-6 for the season.
Northeast Range was never able to get on track offensively, and Ely’s defensive pressure was the difference.
Madeline Kallberg scored 13 of her game-high 19 points in the opening half, and wreaked havoc at the top of the press while gaining a series of layups.
Freshman guard Sarah Visser also had her biggest game of the season, scoring 18 points including nine in a first-half run that put the game away. She added nine rebounds and eight steals.
Grace LaTourell added seven points, Rachel Coughlin finished with four to go with eight steals, and Katrina Seliskar added three points for the Wolves.
Thia Lossing had four of the Nighthawks’ 12 points.
• Ely met Silver Bay Thursday, after deadline, with a trip to Cherry to follow Friday night.
This week’s docket includes a Mar. 2 home game with Cook County, set for 5 p.m. and part of a girls and boys, varsity-only doubleheader at the high school gymnasium.
• Section 7A playoff action begins Mar. 15 at home sites.