December 9, 2025

Lapeer turns up the pressure, claims season-opening win over North Branch

The Lapeer Lightning opened their season with a hard-fought 37–32 win over visiting North Branch on Tuesday night, showcasing stretches of disruptive defense and timely execution in front of their home crowd.

The Lightning started the night by weathering some early trading of baskets, trailing 8–6 after the first quarter as both teams settled into the pace and physicality of the opener. Despite the early deficit, Lapeer stayed composed and began to dictate the tempo late in the second quarter. Down 14–10, the Lightning pieced together a confident run—stringing stops together, attacking the paint, and generating quality possessions—to close the half with a 17–14 lead.

That spark carried directly into the third quarter, where Lapeer played its strongest and most connected stretch of the night. The Lightning ramped up their defensive pressure, forcing rushed decisions, disrupting passing angles, and turning North Branch miscues into transition opportunities. Powered by that energy, Lapeer outscored the Broncos 13–6 in the frame to build a 30–20 advantage heading into the fourth.

Senior center Jayla Holiday led Lapeer with nine points, delivering several timely baskets that halted surges and settled momentum. Junior Alex Obidos added six points while anchoring key defensive stretches, applying pressure on the perimeter and generating turnovers that shifted the game’s rhythm. Senior Lilly Norman contributed six points on two timely three-pointers, stretching the floor at critical moments while grabbing five of her six rebounds on the defensive end.

Sophomore Taylor Morris also had a strong presence on the glass, mirroring Norman's six rebounds but pulling down five of her rebounds on the offensive end, helping Lapeer extend possessions and control the tempo. Senior Madison White, despite battling foul trouble, finished with four assists and three steals. Senior Alana Kosmak contributed another three steals along with timely rebounds, helping Lapeer maintain its defensive intensity throughout the night.

North Branch mounted a final push in the fourth quarter, led by freshman Sydney Bailey, who scored six of her nine points in the final eight minutes as the Broncos extended pressure and tightened the margin. But Lapeer responded with poise, leaning on its defense once more to close out the win.

In the end, North Branch senior Aubree Deshetsky finished with a game-high 13 points, including a 5-for-7 performance at the free-throw line. Her effort helped fuel the Broncos’ competitiveness throughout the night, but Lapeer’s third-quarter surge and defensive consistency proved to be the difference.

The 37–32 victory marks an exciting start for a seasoned Lightning roster—one that used toughness, balance, and activity on both ends to secure an opening-night win.

December 12, 2025

Lightning gain valuable experience in conference opener

The Lapeer Lightning girls basketball team opened Saginaw Valley Conference play Friday night by hosting Powers Catholic in the league opener for both teams.

Powers set the tone early, building a 32-0 lead in the first quarter behind efficient shooting and defensive pressure. The Chargers connected on 10 of 22 shots from the field, including five of 11 from three-point range, while committing no turnovers in the opening period and forcing 19.

Lapeer responded with its best stretch of the night in the second quarter. The Lightning competed on both ends, tightening defensively and finding better offensive rhythm. Lapeer scored six points in the period while limiting Powers to eight, turning the quarter into a more balanced and competitive stretch of play. Powers carried a 40-6 lead into halftime.

Powers opened the second half with another strong quarter, scoring 26 points in the third while holding Lapeer to two. The Chargers added 13 points in the fourth to finish with a 79-8 conference win.

Senior Madison White led the Lightning with four points, while Jayla Holliday paced Lapeer on the boards with five rebounds. The contest served as an early measuring stick for Lapeer against a conference opponent in just its second outing of the season.

For Powers, senior Kendall Smith, last season’s Saginaw Valley Conference Player of the Year, opened her season with 25 points, while sophomore Evah Smith added 24.

While the final score favored the visitors, the matchup provided valuable experience for the Lightning as conference play begins. Lapeer will return to Saginaw Valley Conference action Tuesday when it hosts Davison.

December 17, 2025

The Lapeer Girls Varsity Basketball team returned home for a Saginaw Valley Conference matchup, hosting the Davison Cardinals in what marked the second league game and third contest of the season for both teams.

Each squad entered the night with identical 1–1 records, setting the stage for a competitive conference battle.

Lapeer came out with strong energy in the opening quarter, setting the tone early on its home floor. The Lightning played sound defense and moved the ball effectively, edging Davison 10–9 after one quarter of play.

Davison responded in the second quarter, using a scoring run to swing momentum. The Cardinals outscored Lapeer 16–9 in the period, taking a 25–19 advantage into halftime.

Coming out of the break, both teams traded baskets and played competitive basketball throughout the third quarter. Davison maintained its edge by outscoring Lapeer 18–13 in the period, extending the lead to 43–32 heading into the final eight minutes.

Lapeer continued to compete in the fourth quarter, but Davison’s efficiency and ability to force turnovers proved to be the difference as the Cardinals closed out a 53–40 Saginaw Valley Conference victory.

Senior Kaylee Whitney led the Lightning offensively with 12 points, knocking down four three-pointers. Whitney also paced Lapeer on the glass with seven rebounds, including six on the defensive end. Senior Madison White added 10 points for the Lightning, while senior Lilly Norman contributed six points and three steals.

Lapeer held an advantage on the boards, out-rebounding Davison for the game, and shot 42 percent from beyond the three-point arc. Davison, however, finished at 39 percent overall from the field compared to Lapeer’s 28 percent shooting and forced 10 more turnovers, creating additional scoring opportunities.

Davison was led by senior Sammi Beller with 24 points, while senior Savannah Rice added 11 points for the Cardinals.

Lapeer continues Saginaw Valley Conference play by hosting Saginaw United on Friday night at Lapeer High School. Varsity tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the junior varsity game beginning at 5:30 p.m.

December 19, 2025

Lightning rallies late to slip past Saginaw United in conference play

The Lapeer varsity girls basketball team earned a hard-fought 37–36 victory over Saginaw United on Friday night, pulling out a one-point Saginaw Valley Conference win on its home floor.

Saginaw United entered the matchup eager to secure its first victory of the season and set the tone early with aggressive play on both ends of the floor, building a 10–9 lead after the first quarter. The Phoenix continued to pressure Lapeer in the second, taking a narrow 17–15 advantage into halftime as both teams battled through a physical, defense-driven first half.

United maintained control coming out of the break, extending its lead to 26–23 by the end of the third quarter. With momentum leaning toward the visitors, Lapeer faced its largest challenge heading into the final eight minutes.

Trailing by one with 3:30 remaining, the Lightning responded with composure on both ends of the floor. Lapeer outscored Saginaw United 14–10 in the fourth quarter, taking the lead late and holding on through the final possessions to secure the conference victory.

Defense and rebounding proved to be key factors in the win. Lapeer out-rebounded Saginaw United 49–44 and shot 39% from three-point range, generating timely offense while limiting second-chance opportunities.

Senior Madison White delivered an all-around performance for the Lightning, leading the way with 14 points, including seven in the fourth quarter. White also added three steals, three assists, and five rebounds. Kaylee Whitney chipped in nine points on 3-of-7 shooting, along with three rebounds and two steals.

Senior Jayla Holiday controlled the paint with a team-high nine rebounds and two blocks while scoring seven points. Lilly Norman anchored a strong defensive effort, finishing with eight steals and six rebounds, five on the defensive end. Sophomore Taylor Morris provided energy and physicality throughout the night, contributing eight rebounds and two steals while helping Lapeer control the tempo and close out the victory.

Saginaw United, a young team with no seniors on its roster, was led by sophomore guard Maliyah Phillips, who scored 15 points and led all scorers.

The win moves Lapeer to 2–2 on the season and provides an early boost in what continues to be a highly competitive Saginaw Valley Conference.

The Lightning will next compete in the Kearsley Hornets Nest Christmas Tournament on December 29–30. Lapeer opens tournament play against host Kearsley at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 29. The championship game is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Dec. 30, with the consolation game set for noon. Waterford and LakeVille are also participating in the tournament.