FOR RELEASE: Monday, February 13, 2006

Kirtland Lady Firebirds drop close game to Delta

ROSCOMMON – Rena Barnett, Kirtland’s tireless freshman point guard from LeRoy, gave 23 points, including an impressive 5-for-12 from the 3-point arc, in the Lady Firebirds failed bid to unsettle the leaders of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association, Delta College, on Saturday, Feb. 11. Despite leading for most of the front end of the game, the Firebirds lost to Delta, 72-66.

“Our defense was very good this game, holding Delta – the first-place team in the conference – to just 22 first-half points,” said Firebirds head women’s coach Teresa Stuck. “That was very good, but we must learn to finish games. We have lost way too many close games and it comes down to doing the little things, defensive communication here, box out there, protecting the ball, etc.”

The loss pushed the Lady Firebirds to an 11-16 overall record, while Delta is now 16-7 (8-2 MCCAA).

“We are also looking for our guards to step up their game in the last five minutes,” Stuck added, noting the time frame that seems to be the stickiest for the Lady Firebirds.

“That will be a focus over the next couple weeks before the regional tournament,” she said. “But we need to be able to get them some rest during the game and I think that our bench is also beginning to play better so that will really help us.”

Emily Henion (freshman, Frederic) and Lizz Stempki (freshman, St. Ignace) also cracked double digits with 10 points apiece for Kirtland. Barnett also contributed 4 steals and 4 boards to the game, while Henion had 7 rebounds and 6 assists and Stempki added 4 rebounds.

Despite foul trouble, Chelsey Williams (freshman, Houghton Lake) was also a strong force on defense.

Fan turnout for the game, which was played at the Houghton Lake High School, was exceptional. They’ll have one last chance to see the Firebirds locally when Kirtland plays its final home game on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the CRAF Center in Roscommon. The Lady Firebirds begin play at 1 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 3 p.m. In the interim, the Firebirds take to the road to play Schoolcraft College in Livonia on Wednesday, Feb. 15.