Lake Linden-Hubbell’s McKenna Keranen goes up for a shot against Bessemer Tuesday in Lake Linden. (Gail Ongie photo)

LAKE LINDEN — The Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes dropped a 48-39 Copper Mountain Conference decision to the Bessemer Speedgirls Tuesday in Lake Linden. 

LL-H led 20-17 at halftime before Bessemer erupted for a 23-point third quarter to take a 40-27 lead into the fourth.

“We just kind of stopped playing and can never finish an entire game,” LL-H coach Maureen Schick said. “In the end, we had so many opportunities with layups and everyone gets tight and just bangs the ball up. 

“Even though we’re overmatched with height, we hung strong with them, but we don’t box out or rebound well.”

Megan Peterson led Bessemer (4-4, 3-3) with 12 points and scored all 12 on four 3s during her team’s 23-point third quarter.

Next, LL-H (2-7, 2-5) goes to Dollar Bay on Tuesday. 

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Bessemer 7 10 23 8 — 48

LL-H 13 7 7 12 — 39

Bessemer — Peterson 12, Marchello 6, Kitto 5, Matonich 5, Lynch 16, Trcka 2, Manchester 2. F: 16; Fouled out: None; Free throws; 2-3; 3-point field goals: Peterson 4, Kitto, Matonich. 

LL-H — Corrigan 2, Seppala 10, Keranen 9, Perala 5, Lyons 13. F: 12; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 8-13; 3-point field goals: Seppala. 

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CALUMET — The Calumet Copper Kings shut out the Ontonagon Gladiators in the first quarter en route to a 45-31 nonconference win Tuesday in Calumet.

“First quarter was the best defense we’ve played all year,” Calumet coach Jeff Twardzik said. “The kids are taking responsibility of their team because that’s what it is: their team.

“The past has showed me when that happens, good things are to follow. We’re finding our way and getting better and I couldn’t be more proud of their work.”

Calumet led 16-0 after the opening eight minutes and led 22-5 at halftime. Calumet’s Brooke Kariniemi scored 14 points to lead the way. 

“It was nice to see Brooke get going on offense,” Twardzik said. “It’s promising to know we aren’t even close to how good we can be.”

Mackenzie Fredrickson scored 10 points for an Ontonagon team that finally got its offense going in the third quarter when it scored 14 points. 

“So much respect for (Ontonagon) coach (Dick) Franti) and what he and his team does. He’s a class act and his girls reflect that with their work and play,” Twardzik said.

Next, Ontonagon (5-3) hosts Ewen-Trout Creek on Friday, while Calumet (5-2) heads to Marquette on the same day.

– – – 

Ontonagon 0 5 14 12 — 31

Calumet 16 6 12 11 — 45

Ontonagon — Weisinger 3, Menigoz 2, Labyak 4, Lutz 9, Kolpack 3, Fredrickson 10. F: 12; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 11-23; 3-point field goals: None. 

Calumet — Niina Anderson 2, Johnson 4, Bjorn 8, Johnson 2, Ava Anderson 10, Kiilunen 2, Kariniemi 14, Peterson 3. F: 19; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 8-13; 3-point field goals: Ava Anderson 2. 

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HOUGHTON — Houghton coach Julie Filpus finally saw the type of defense she demands from her team in a 65-28 nonconference win over the Jeffers Jets Tuesday in Houghton. 

The Gremlins started the game on a 19-0 run and never trailed from that point forward.

“We’ve been waiting for the kids to wake up defensively, and they’ve been responding,” Filpus said. “We had a great summer, but it’s almost like we’re re-learning intensity and effort and toughness. We’ve been making steady progress, and I think the girls recognize that and can feel that.”

Offensively, Harlee Froberg led Houghton with 24 points, while Cassie Rynnanen added 16 points and Kara Pietila had 15 points.

“Overall, our ball movement was really strong tonight,” Filpus said. “We had inside-out, 3-pointers and reversals that led to good shots for teammates.” 

After Houghton went on a 19-0 run, Jeffers responded with an 11-0 run. The Jets were led by Dana Kinnunen, who scored nine points. 

Next, Houghton (5-4) hosts Westwood on Friday; Jeffers (5-3) hosts Hancock on the same day.

– – – 

Jeffers 3 13 3 9 — 28

Houghton 19 11 19 16 — 65

Jeffers — Klemett 1, Stevens 8, Johnson 5, Kinnunen 9, Pietila 1, Rocchi 2, Pennala 2. F: 9; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 5-9; 3-point field goals: Stevens 2. Kinnunen.

Houghton — Dillinger 4, Pietila 15, Ryynanen 16, Klein 4, Monette 2, Froberg 24. F: 10; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 5-6; 3-point field goals: Froberg 4, Ryynanen 4. 

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BARAGA — The Baraga Vikings held visiting Republic- Michigamme to six first-half points as they coasted to a 40-16 win on Tuesday. 

Baraga was led by Jaylyne Lindemann with 13 points and five offensive rebounds, and Martina Jahfetson with 12 points. 

According to coach Tom Goodreau, the Vikings had a difficult shooting night, but made up for it on the glass.

“We were very aggressive both offensively and defensively,” he said. “I think we rushed our shots. Fortunately, we rebounded well. Everyone on the team logged at least one offensive board.”

Next up Baraga (4-4) hosts Bessemer on Friday at 7:20 p.m. 

– – – 

Republic 3 3 5 5 — 16

Baraga 9 8 6 17 — 40

Republic — Raisanen 5, Dumoulin 10, Wertanen 1. F: 9. Fouled out: None. Free throws: 1-4. 3-point field goals: Dumoulin 2, Raisanen. 

Baraga — Martina Jahfetson 12, Koskinene 2, Alex Jahfetson 7, Lindemann 13, Tembreull 4, Pittsley 2. F: 4. Fouled out: None. Free throws: 4-8. 3-point field goals: None. 

– – – 

L’ANSE — Hancock watched an eight-point lead dwindle in the last 2:42 of its West-PAC game against L’Anse, as the Bulldogs went 3 of 13 from the free throw line. But L’Anse’s comeback effort came up short, and Hancock came away with a 42-40 win Tuesday in L’Anse. 

“As a team we need to find a way to finish games,” Hancock coach Jack Johnson said. “We led the entire way by as much as 14 points, but shot 1-7 from the free throw line in the last three minutes. Those types of mistakes we have to clean up to improve.

“We played well offensively in the first half, but lacked intensity on the defensive end.  We struggled to capitalize on L’Anse’s cold shooting which allowed the game to stay close.”

The Bulldogs got a strong performance from Taylor Sebbas, who had 20 points and 12 rebounds. 

For L’Anse Kailyn Voskuhl scored 12 points and Maija Rice added 11. 

Next up Hancock (5-3, 1-2) travels to Jeffers on Friday at 7:20 p.m. L’Anse (4-5, 0-3) heads to Wakefield on Monday at 7:30 p.m. 

– – –

Hancock 11 12 13 6 — 42

L’Anse 3 7 17 15 — 40

Hancock — Abby Brooks 2, Mialy Brooks 8, Sebbas 20, Pertile 5, D’Andra Kero 5, Marina Kero 2. F: 10. Fouled out: None. Free throws: 3-13. 3-point field goals: Mialy Brooks 2, Pertile.

L’Anse — Mattson 4, Dix, 7, Maija Rice 11, Voskuhl 12, Nankervis 2, Brown 2, Josie Rice 2. F: 13. Fouled out: None. Free throws: 7-11. 3-point field goals: Mattson.