Ladyjacks, Lumberjacks drop home openers to Mott

ALPENA, Mich. — It was a completely different atmosphere at Park Arena Tuesday night. Usually they’re many fans in the stands cheering for the Alpena Community College men’s and women’s basketball teams.

That wasn’t the case on Tuesday and it won’t be for the rest of the season. Back on Jan. 27, the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) made the announcement to ban fans from attending winter sports contests, due to the rising concerns of COVID-19.

Even though fans aren’t allowed, ACC basketball games returned to Park Arena for the first time since Feb. 2020. Both the Ladyjacks and Lumberjacks couldn’t keep up with the Bears of Mott Community College as they both dropped their home openers. The Ladyjacks fell to Mott, losing 70-37, while the men fell to the tenth ranked Bears, losing 79-62.

Kyley LaFleche paced the Ladyjacks in the scoring department with 13 points. Jade Schultz contributed with 11 points and Lillian Black finished with four points.

For the Lumberjacks, once again Kelley Stark led the charge for ACC with 14 points. Chris DeRocher and Cleveland Baker each added 13 points and Parker Neu finished with eight points.

Both ACC basketball teams return to action this Friday. They will head south to battle St. Clair County Community College.