×

Houghton jumps all over Escanaba early, holds on for victory, 60-52

Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette Houghton’s Bradley Sirard attempts to drive around an Escanaba defender during a game Tuesday at the Houghton Gym.

HOUGHTON — When a team shoots 7-for-8 from three-point range to start a first quarter, it is a probable sign that that team is poised to win. So it was for the Houghton Gremlins on Tuesday night as they downed the visiting Escanaba Eskymos, 60-52.

“When you hit your shots like we did to start the game, that is phenomenal,” said Gremlins coach Jared Lawson. “It gives you that cushion to protect that lead.”

Sam Keskimaki sunk the first three-pointer of the game to take control from the tip-off. The Gremlins then fell into a very controlled offense. At times, senior guard George Butvilas simply walked the ball up the court. He then set into motion an offense that focused on moving the ball around the perimeter looking for a good shot.

“We did not force any shots, and we fell into a good flow. That’s the way it should work,” said Lawson.

After one quarter of play, the Gremlins led 27-9.

Escanaba coach Tracy Hudson agreed with Lawson’s assessment.

“The game was lost in the first quarter. We came out flat, and for them everything was falling through the net,” he said. “We were playing catch-up from there on out.”

On the other end of the court, the Gremlins’ defense was tight. Many times, they limited the Eskymos to just one shot and often it was a forced one, or at least not a high-percentage one.

The Eskymos shot a dismal 12-of-31 from the field and 6-of-21 from three-point range.

“We have been struggling shooting. Our two guards have had it tough at times,” said Hudson.

That was a good thing, according to Lawson, as he thought defense had been Houghton’s downfall in his team’s two losses on the year against Kingsford and L’Anse. Those were two contests that he thought could have won had his team tightened up their defensive stance.

“We were soft at times in both of those games and we lost. Tonight, Escanaba didn’t get a lot inside play and when they did, they were one-and-done. I was very impressed with our defense tonight.”

At halftime, the Gremlins led 38-30.

Coming out of the locker room, the Eskymos put on a press and were a little more aggressive in the paint offensively. Escanaba did win the fourth quarter, outscoring the Gremlins 16-13. They came within six points of catching the home team with 5:45 left in the game, but that was as best as they could muster. For every basket that Escanaba made, Houghton countered with their own.

Amazingly, the Gremlins had only four scorers who tallied all 60 points. Senior forward Bradley Sirard led with 26 points. Fifteen of his points came from three-point range. Following him was guard Butvilas who poured in 22. That is the way it should be according to Lawson as he has been looking to these two seniors to guide the offense each night.

For the Eskymos Carter Hudson led the charge with 17 points – nine from past the three-point arc. He was followed by Jared Nash who poured in 12 points and had 10 rebounds.

Escanaba 9 21 6 16 – 52

Houghton 27 9 11 13 – 60

EHS: Fedell 5, Kamin 10, Willis 3, Hudson 17, Rose 3, Nash 12, Johnson 2; Fouls: 15; Fouled out: none; 3-point field goals: Hudson 3, Rose 1, Fedell 1, Kamin 1

HHS: Butvilas 22, Hyslop 6, Sirard 26, Keskimaki 6; Fouls: 10; Fouled out: none; 3-point field goals: Sirard 5, Hyslop 2, Butvilas 1, Keskimaki 1

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today