Local Sports

The Western Mustangs switched out three of their starters from Friday night, and for 20 minutes it appeared to work. Then Venzal Russell took over.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again. That's the philosophy Lindsay Druery took into the final 1.9 seconds of the Lakehead Thunderwolves women's basketball game Saturday night against the Western Mustangs.

Alannah MacLean wasn't too worried about winning on Saturday. The Newfoundland-born, Sudbury-raised cross country skier had a simpler goal in mind, a day before leaving Thunder Bay for Whistler, B.C.

Karlee Jones won the battle of Thunder Bay on Friday night, and remains the only undefeated team at the Northern Ontario junior women's provincial curling championship.

Thunder Bay's Jordan Potter and Brennan Wark continue to roll along at the Northern Ontario junior men's curling provincials in Atikokan.

Heading into Friday's second-half opener, the Western Mustangs were the only men's team in the OUA West with a losing basketball record. They didn't get any closer to .500 on this night.

The Northern Hawks extended their first place lead in Thunder Bay Junior B Hockey League standings Friday by virtue of an 8-3 triumph over the second place Nipigon Elks in a contest played at Nipigon Arena.

Byron Katapaytuk netted a hat trick Friday night, helping the Fort Frances Lakers destroy the visiting Iron Range Ironheads 12-1. Merritt Rysavy had a goal and three assists for the Lakers, who got singles from eight other goal scroers.

Friday's win over the Waterloo Warriors was all about setting a second-half tone for the Lakehead Thunderwolves.

Lindsay Druery sank 16 points in Friday, leading the Lakehead Thunderwolves to a second-half opening 74-58 win over the visiting Western Mustangs.