Joey Payeur
Forgive the Dryden Eagles’ junior girls’ basketball team if they had a certain “Queen” and David Bowie duet running through their heads.
Under pressure was the theme of the day for the host Eagles (3-5), who were helpless to fend off a relentless full-court attack as the visiting Muskies (7-0) pulled away for a 34-18 victory in NorWOSSA action Tuesday.
“We started off slow,” noted Muskie co-coach Marla Knutsen.
“But once we put in our press, we lit up the scoreboard,” she added.
Lindsay Dixon led the way with a game-high 15 points while Ashley Croswell netted 11.
Dryden tried to apply a pressure defence of their own, but to no avail.
“Claire Hyatt and Maggie Jean did an amazing job getting the ball up the court as Dryden was putting lots of pressure on,” lauded Knutsen.
The senior Muskies (7-0) also maintained their undefeated record with a 41-27 win over the Eagles on Tuesday.
The top scorers for the game were unavailable by press time.
In boys’ volleyball action, meanwhile, the Muskie junior squad (3-4) dropped a 3-1 decision to the Eagles (7-1) by scores of 27-125, 25-18, 11-25, and 25-15.
It was the Muskies’ second visit to Dryden in four days after competing in the Eagles’ home tournament over the weekend.
The black-and-gold went 3-5 in the round-robin portion of the event to place fourth in their pool.
Fort High then knocked off the Churchill Bulldogs of Thunder Bay 2-0 (25-18/25-13) in the opening round of the playoffs.
That put them up against Baibombeh Anishinabe School from Naotkamegwanning First Nation (formerly Whitefish Bay), the top-seeded team in the other pool.
The Muskies put up a good fight but fell 2-0 (25-21/25-19) to end their weekend.
“It was the most exciting match of the tourney,” said coach John Gibson.
“I’m really happy with the team’s playoff performance.
“It was reassuring to see them playing really solid volleyball, and battling another team at that level is super fun to watch,” Gibson added.
“Plus, it gives a chance to see what we need to focus on in practice to be our best at NorWOSSA.”
The senior Muskies (0-7) once again were unable to nab their first win of the season, falling 3-0 to Dryden (8-0) on Tuesday by scores of 25-17, 25-13, and 25-15.
All four Muskie court teams wrap up the regular season today on home court against the Kenora Broncos from Kenora, with action starting at noon.
The NorWOSSA playoffs are set for next Friday (Nov. 8) in Dryden.
