Kirtland Community College

Sports News Release

10775 N. St. Helen Road, Roscommon, MI 48653 (989) 275-5000     kirtland.edu
Subject: Lady Firebirds lose to Lakeland in season-ending district game
For Release: Monday, March 7, 2005		 Office: Public Relations 
Contact: Irene Borak, (989) 275-5000 Ext. 242

Lady Firebirds lose to Lakeland in
season-ending district game
ROSCOMMON – The Kirtland Lady Firebirds ended their 2004-2005 basketball season with a quarterfinal loss to Lakeland Community College (Ohio), 88-67, in the NJCAA District H tournament hosted by Delta College March 4.

But the loss can’t dampen the excitement of a season well played. In her first year as head coach of the Lady Firebirds, Teresa Stuck led her team to a winning season – the first in the team’s five-year history – ending the regular season with a 9-7 conference record (12-17 overall).

That winning record was a dubious proposition at the start of the season. The girls took their time getting to know one another on the court and buying into Stuck’s philosophy of play.

Stuck, a former Houghton Lake High School basketball standout turned coach, took her team on the road for a rigorous round of pre-conference games that left them with a 3-10 record going into their conference schedule.

And things got worse before they got better.

But somewhere in the middle of it all, the Lady Firebirds found their common ground and began playing like a team. They ended the season winning eight of their last 10 games and Stuck had high hopes they’d continue their winning ways into the post season.

Lakeland proved to be too much of a team for the Firebirds to overcome, however.

“We put up a battle, but our offense fell flat in the second half and Lakeland had a lot of weapons; they are a very good team,” Stuck said.

Amanda Cooper, a sophomore from Harrison, led the Lady Firebirds in scoring against Lakeland (15 points), much as she has most of the season. Kenzie Steward, also a sophomore, from Alma, had a good game with 14 points and 7 rebounds. The Firebirds’ Danish standout, freshman Nynne Larsen, added 13 points, 7 assists and 3 steals, while Felon Harris, a freshman from Toronto, worked the court for 11 boards and 7 points.

Cooper, Steward and the team’s third sophomore, Jamie Dent of Grayling, will be missed on next year’s roster.

“Everyone really improved this year and I am looking forward to our eight freshmen providing a solid base as sophomores next year,” Stuck said, looking ahead. “We will really miss our sophomores and wish them the best of luck next year.”

Mott Community College, which was undefeated in conference play this year (16-0; 24-5 overall), beat Wayne County CC and Lakeland on its way to a face-off against the conference’s number-two team, Schoolcraft (13-3), for the District H championship. Mott won the contest, 73-71, and proceeds to the NJCAA Division II national tournament in Phoenix.