PETOSKEY — Where others see fall’s gradual turn to winter this time of year, Ceara LeBlanc has always seen it as something else.
The Brimley native and North Central Michigan College sophomore knows it as a quick turn from volleyball season to basketball season.
That’s how it’s always been for LeBlanc.
“It’s stressful, but it’s still so fun,” she said. “I love being able to come over to the basketball team and they’re ready for me.”
Less than a week ago, LeBlanc was in the midst of closing up her final volleyball season with the Timberwolves in the postseason. When that season ended in Grand Rapids, she, along with a pair of volleyball teammates, hit the road to Ohio, catching the women’s basketball team in action at the start of its 2025-26 season.
No practice, no meetings, no film. Just go.
“I wasn’t technically cleared to play until volleyball was over,” LeBlanc said with a laugh. “So, when I traveled from Grand Rapids to Ohio, I had no practices. (Wednesday) was only my third practice.”
A day later, on Thursday, Nov. 13, LeBlanc and the the other two volleyball turned hoopers, Ally Sutton (Kalkaska) and Gracie Jones (Newport), were on the NCMC court in Petoskey Plastics Arena welcoming Oakland Community College for what was just their fifth time on a basketball court this season.
And, each helped contribute to the Timberwolves’ first win in a 95-92 overtime victory.
In overtime, nobody played bigger than LeBlanc, who nailed a 3-pointer early, then went 3 for 4 at the free throw line in the final seconds, nailing a 2 for 2 trip to ice the game with 16 seconds left.
Preparing as much as she could heading into the night, LeBlanc had a feeling it could be a close one.
“I made sure to practice some free throws before the game because I knew we’d be in that close situation, just watching film over and over,” she said. “I knew that was the kind of game we could be in, knew it was going to be close and free throws could win it.”
With three girls fouled out and tired legs, the Timberwolves held off Oakland’s desperation at the end, putting a one in front of a previous 0-4 start.
“It was needed for all of us,” LeBlanc said on the win. “We have a lot of work to do but we grew a lot as a team tonight.”
North Central coach Michael Glass felt a sigh of relief getting that first victory as well.
“It felt good that down the stretch we did what we were supposed to do,” he said. “It’s a good one to build off of.”
What also feels good is having a complete team on the court, after having to play with just six girls the first few games of the season.
“That feels fantastic, especially in practice,” Glass said. “That’s where I see it more. We can do more things and they can play live more. It’s just nice to have everybody.”
LeBlanc finished the night with 12 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals from her point guard position, then Arika Taylor (Joliet, Ill.) had 22 points and 11 rebounds, Evelyn VanTol (Frankfort) had 20 points and 19 rebounds and Cadence Cullen (St. Ignace) had 16 and 15 rebounds. Jones and Sutton also contributed 15 combined points and 12 rebounds.
Glass acknowledged the kind of impact his volleyball trio had on joining the team.
“Those three, they’re just good athletes,” he said. “They bring different things to the table. Ceara brings the ball handling that we haven’t had. Gracie has some ups and great ball senses and Ally adds some size inside for us. When you put it all together, we’re going to be OK.”
NCMC returns to the court at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15 for a hosted game against Kellogg Community College.
NCMC Men’s basketball
PETOSKEY — The North Central men’s basketball team dropped to 0-5 against an unbeaten Oakland CC, falling 100-75.
Gaylord St. Mary graduate and NCMC sophomore Rylan Matelski led the Timberwolves with 19 points, then added four rebounds and a pair of steals. De’Machae McDowell (Washington, D.C.) also had 15 points and Kaiden Bartholomew (Huddersfield, UK) scored 13.
The Timberwolves out-rebounded Oakland 48-36, though shot just 37.5% from the floor and 24.1% from 3-point range.
NCMC will host Kellogg Community College at 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15 up next.
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: North Central’s LeBlanc helps ice Oakland in OT win right out of volleyball season
Reporting by Drew Kochanny, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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