FOR RELEASE: Monday, January 30, 2006

Kirtland Lady Firebirds blow roof off three records

119-100 win over Henry Ford is highest score to date

ROSCOMMON – It was a treat for fans and players alike when the Kirtland Lady Firebirds blew the roof off three columns in their record book by the end of their 119-100 win over Henry Ford Community College on Saturday, Jan. 28, in Roscommon.

The game was not only the highest score reached by the 5-year-old team to date, but also established the team rebound record at 73, and was the highest score achieved by any women’s team at the CRAF Center, the Firebirds’ home court.

“What a fun game for the fans!” said the Lady Firebirds’ head coach Teresa Stuck. “These girls should be proud.”

Many of the Lady Firebirds stepped up on the scoring end of this game, with Emily Henion (freshman, Frederic) posting her best game of the year, scoring 22 points along with 11 assists, 0 turnovers, 7 rebounds, and 6 steals – a complete game if ever there was one.

“Emily is finally looking for her shot, which our team needs very much,” Stuck said.

Emilee Bruner (sophomore, Mio) and Onica Jones (freshman, Rochester, N.Y.) both had double-doubles.

“These two really played well tonight,” Stuck said of Bruner’s 11 points added to 14 rebounds and Jones’ 15 points to go with 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.

Lizz Stempki (freshman, St. Ignace) has scored 20 or more points in four of the Lady Firebirds’ last five games and finished with a team-high 28 points to go with 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.

Chelsey Williams (freshman, Houghton Lake) just missed a double-double, posting 12 points and 9 boards in just 17 minutes of action. Rena Barnett (freshman, LeRoy) was also a rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists.

Rounding out the scoring were Ashley Andrews (sophomore, West Branch) with 9 points and 8 rebounds, Natalie Foster (freshman, Houghton Lake) with 6 points, and Evalyn Bain (freshman, Nassau, Bahamas) with 2 points.

The Lady Hawks of Henry Ford were likely dismayed that they posted 100 points – including 11 3-point baskets – against the Firebirds without taking home a win. Despite their 0-17 record, they obviously have some strong points.

“You have to give Henry Ford credit; you can’t let down, they are too dangerous behind the arc,” Stuck noted. “A little more defense is more our style but with Henry Ford’s philosophy, any game they play will most likely be on the high-scoring end.”

Catch the Lady Firebirds (now 11-12 overall) on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the CRAF Center in Roscommon when they host Oakland Community College for a 5:30 p.m. game. After two road games, Kirtland will play at nearby Houghton Lake High School on Saturday, Feb. 11, where they’ll host Delta College for a 1 p.m. game. Firebirds basketball offers free admission.