ESCANABA---The Escanaba High School boys basketball team won its second straight district championship game Wednesday night, blowing past the Kingsford Flivvers, 74-50, at the Escanaba High School Gym.
The Eskymos raced to a 16-3 lead in the first quarter, and after the Flivvers made a run to close to within one point in the third quarter, Escanaba put the petal to the metal and pulled way to pick up their 12th straight victory on the season.
It was the Eskymos' third win over the Flivvers this season, after narrow wins by three and seven points in the regular season. In the end, this one was not as close.
"We don't get punched in the face very often," Kingsford Coach Dan Olkkonen said of the 16-3 start. "They did it right from the start. And we had a tough time scoring. I thought we took way too many three-pointers in the first half. They're long. They cover so much ground, so much area."
Escanaba's height, and experience, carried the day, with three Eskymo seniors combining to score 66 of the team's 74 points. Kingsford had just two seniors on the floor Wednesday night, with Brody Kopp scoring 12 points and Mike Meneguzzo being held off the scoreboard.
The Eskymos got a game-hugh 29 points from senior Colin Hudson, including a highlight reel two-handed slam dunk off a feed from fellow senior Jared Hanson. Hudson says it was important for his team not to panic after Kingsford closed to within 32-31 in the third quarter.
"We just had to keep playing, that's it," Hudson said. "Keep our heads in the game. We can't hang our heads just because they went on a little run. We've just got to keep playing, and that's what we did. We shared the ball, and we just played hard."
It was a great game for Hanson, who is better known for his ability as a baseball pitcher, which is what he will do at Central Michigan University next fall. But on this night, he was sharp, knocking down threes, scoring inside, and dishing out assists. He had 19 points.
"It's incredible that we get to do this two years in a row," Hanson said. "I mean, most people don't get to do it once. To have it happem twice, that's insane. And just to be able to play two sports and be pretty successful at both, it's an incredible feeling."
Another Escanaba senior, Connor Smale, scored 18 points, and much of it was in transition or on drives to the basket.
"I'm so happy right now," Smale said. "I think the mix of defenses was hard for them, and I think our offense just really took off in the second half. We're happy. The energy was high, the student section was insane, it's just a great feeling."
Hudson not only scored 29 points, but his defense on Kingsford's top scorer, Nic Nora, was outstanding. Nora was held to eleven points, and just could not get many open looks. And Olkkonen said on the other end, his Flivvers just couldn't stop the Eskymos.
"We just gave up too many leyups, and we didn't do enough of the right things to play against a team like this of this caliber, especially on a night like this," Olkkonen said. "But I thought we showed some grit to get back in it."
Freshman Gavin Grondin led Kingsford with 17 points. The Flivvers finished their season with a 15-7 record, with three of those losses coming to the Eskymos.
"They are really good shooters, so we knew the three could pull them back into the game," Hanson said. "We extended our 2-3 (zone defense), took away their three a lot better, and we made a run."
Escanaba (18-4) will play in the regional semifinals Monday night in Manistique against either Boyne City or Sault Ste. Marie. Those two teams meet in a district final Friday night in Kalkaska. Escanaba defeated Boyne City in last year's regional semifinal game.
"It feels really good to repeat," Smale said. "We've just got to keep it going."
The Eskymos raced to a 16-3 lead in the first quarter, and after the Flivvers made a run to close to within one point in the third quarter, Escanaba put the petal to the metal and pulled way to pick up their 12th straight victory on the season.
"We don't get punched in the face very often," Kingsford Coach Dan Olkkonen said of the 16-3 start. "They did it right from the start. And we had a tough time scoring. I thought we took way too many three-pointers in the first half. They're long. They cover so much ground, so much area."
Escanaba's height, and experience, carried the day, with three Eskymo seniors combining to score 66 of the team's 74 points. Kingsford had just two seniors on the floor Wednesday night, with Brody Kopp scoring 12 points and Mike Meneguzzo being held off the scoreboard.
The Eskymos got a game-hugh 29 points from senior Colin Hudson, including a highlight reel two-handed slam dunk off a feed from fellow senior Jared Hanson. Hudson says it was important for his team not to panic after Kingsford closed to within 32-31 in the third quarter.
"We just had to keep playing, that's it," Hudson said. "Keep our heads in the game. We can't hang our heads just because they went on a little run. We've just got to keep playing, and that's what we did. We shared the ball, and we just played hard."
"It's incredible that we get to do this two years in a row," Hanson said. "I mean, most people don't get to do it once. To have it happem twice, that's insane. And just to be able to play two sports and be pretty successful at both, it's an incredible feeling."
Another Escanaba senior, Connor Smale, scored 18 points, and much of it was in transition or on drives to the basket.
"I'm so happy right now," Smale said. "I think the mix of defenses was hard for them, and I think our offense just really took off in the second half. We're happy. The energy was high, the student section was insane, it's just a great feeling."
Hudson not only scored 29 points, but his defense on Kingsford's top scorer, Nic Nora, was outstanding. Nora was held to eleven points, and just could not get many open looks. And Olkkonen said on the other end, his Flivvers just couldn't stop the Eskymos.
Freshman Gavin Grondin led Kingsford with 17 points. The Flivvers finished their season with a 15-7 record, with three of those losses coming to the Eskymos.
"They are really good shooters, so we knew the three could pull them back into the game," Hanson said. "We extended our 2-3 (zone defense), took away their three a lot better, and we made a run."
Escanaba (18-4) will play in the regional semifinals Monday night in Manistique against either Boyne City or Sault Ste. Marie. Those two teams meet in a district final Friday night in Kalkaska. Escanaba defeated Boyne City in last year's regional semifinal game.
"It feels really good to repeat," Smale said. "We've just got to keep it going."
