In a thrilling series of contests across the Blue Water Area, high school girls' basketball teams showcased their skills and competitive spirit on January 22nd. The night was marked by several decisive victories and standout individual performances, setting the stage for exciting matchups in the coming week. From Armada's offensive prowess to Yale's defensive strength, each game contributed to the dynamic narrative of the current season. Coaches reflected on their teams' efforts, emphasizing continuous improvement and strategic preparation for future challenges.
Blue Water Area Girls' Basketball Highlights: January 22nd
On Thursday, January 22nd, 2026, the Blue Water Area witnessed a series of captivating high school girls' basketball games. The Armada team, with a season record of 6 wins and 3 losses, delivered an impressive performance against Almont, securing a resounding 61-35 victory. Sisters Valeria Ricossa and Vivian Ricossa, alongside Haylee Agee, were instrumental in Armada's success, each contributing 14, 13, and 13 points, respectively. Coach Joe McDevitt lauded his team's effort, stressing the importance of daily improvement as they prepare for upcoming games against North Branch and Imlay City. Armada is scheduled to face North Branch on Tuesday, January 27th, at 7:30 PM.
For Almont, whose record now stands at 2 wins and 8 losses, Rachael Johnson led the scoring with 10 points, supported by Eva Rayl's 9 points and Madi Derk's 6 points. Coach Erik Johnson acknowledged the team's struggles in the second half, highlighting their potential for competitiveness if they can maintain consistent performance throughout a full game. Almont will host Algonac on Tuesday, January 27th, at 7:30 PM.
In another contest, North Branch triumphed over Croswell-Lexington with a score of 40-26. Croswell-Lexington, now with a 6-4 record, will travel to Yale for their next game on Tuesday, January 27th, at 7:30 PM.
Sandusky (10-1) demonstrated its dominance by defeating Marlette (3-6) with a final score of 56-29. Caroline Reinke was the top scorer for Sandusky with 15 points, while Emma Merriman added 10 points and Maggy Keinath contributed 8. Sandusky is set to welcome Brown City on Tuesday, January 27th, at 7:30 PM. Marlette will host Akron-Fairgrove on Monday, January 26th, at 7:30 PM.
Yale (10-1) also secured a notable win against Richmond (3-8), finishing 45-16. Sadie Dykstra led Yale with 13 points, and Aubree Churchill contributed 12 points. Coach Jason Leonard praised his team's defensive efforts despite a challenging shooting night, emphasizing the significance of securing a road win. Yale will play host to Cros-Lex on Tuesday, January 27th, at 7:30 PM. Richmond will welcome Imlay City on the same day and time.
A game played on Wednesday saw St. Clair (7-2) overcome Marine City (4-6) with a score of 39-30. Gracie Pickelhaupt led St. Clair with 8 points, while Maliyah Smith, Anna Kehoe, and Ella Groeneveld each added 7 points. St. Clair is scheduled to visit Roseville on Friday, January 23rd, at 7 PM. Audrey Northrup was the leading scorer for Marine City with 13 points, followed by Payton Cirillo with 7. Marine City will head to Warren Fitzgerald on Friday, January 23rd, at 7 PM.
The recent high school girls' basketball games in the Blue Water Area offer a valuable glimpse into the dedication and passion of young athletes. Beyond the scores and statistics, these events foster teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship. It's inspiring to see these teams push their limits, constantly striving for improvement, and learning critical life lessons both on and off the court. The commitment of players and coaches alike paints a vibrant picture of local sports, highlighting the positive impact of community engagement and healthy competition. As the season progresses, each game becomes a testament to their hard work and unwavering spirit, enriching the local sports landscape and providing exciting entertainment for fans.