BATH — After going undefeated in CMAC play in 2024-25 while putting together a perfect regular season, the Pewamo-Westphalia girls basketball team entered this winter with a target on its back.
The Pirates have embraced that target and been motivated to find their way back on top of the CMAC standings.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd they've done just that.
P-W secured at least a share of the CMAC title with a 49-24 victory over Bath on Friday, Feb. 20 in a matchup of the top two teams in the standings.
Pewamo Westphalia's Elly Bengel (22) pulls up to shoot as Bath's Eva Arambula (23) and Aubrey Dunckel (20) defend Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 at Bath."It just shows all the hard work that we've put in every day, coming to practice, working hard, working as a team, communicating," P-W senior Elly Bengel said. "This was just one of our big goals."
The title share marks the 10th CMAC championship the Pirates have secured under the direction of Steve Eklund, who is in his 17th season.
"Last year we were picked third or fourth place in the conference and it's easier to win that way," Eklund said. "This year being the target on your back and being picked right away to win the conference makes things more difficult. I'm really proud of this group. It feels great."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Pirates (17-2, 16-0) can secure the outright title with a win over either Perry on Feb. 24 or Laingsburg on Feb. 26. P-W heads into its final two league matchups with a 40-game winning streak in CMAC play with its last loss coming to Fowler on Feb. 7, 2024.
Bengel had nine of her 13 points in the second half while helping the Pirates, who are ranked No. 5 in Division 3 by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan, break things open. P-W outscored the Bees 15-8 in the third quarter to build on its 11-point halftime advantage.
"It was a fun environment," Eklund said. "Bath played a really nice game. I'm just happy with the way the girls continue to stick together. They play for each other and it's awesome."
Anna Poppema finished with nine points to lead Bath (17-3, 14-2).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementContact Brian Calloway at [email protected]. Follow him on X @brian_calloway and Bluesky @briancalloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Pewamo-Westphalia girls basketball tops Bath in CMAC battle for first
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