Paul Peterson photo Taylor Sebbas of Hancock works her way past a couple of Bessemer defenders Tuesday night. The Bulldogs scored a 56-21 victory.

HANCOCK — A young Hancock High girls basketball team is learning a little at a time this season.

With just one senior returning, the Crimson and Gold expected to struggle in the early going.

But the Bulldogs, 1-2 so far, showed they’re learning fairly quickly in recording a 56-21 win over Bessemer Tuesday night.

“We are young, we’ve got several freshmen on the roster,” HCHS coach Jack Johnson said. “So we’re having to learn on the fly.”

Bessemer skipper Gerry Pelissero said his team had trouble with Hancock’s defense.

“We really couldn’t get anything going, especially in the first half,” Pelliserro commented. “We allowed them (Bulldogs) to go on a run after the first quarter.”

Hancock’s one senior starter, Maija Sebbas, sparked the Dawgs to a 13-3 margin after one quarter. A 3-pointer by freshman Jordan Pertile at the buzzer also helped.

Sebbas tallied 13 points in the second frame as the winners used a 17-4 edge to lead 30-7 at the break.

Johnson said he’s been impressed by the hustle and hard work of his team.

“The come to work every day,” Johnson said. “They work hard and they want to win. Execution tonight at certain times wasn’t sharp. It’s all a part of the learning curve.”

Hancock moved to a 48-15 bulge after three quarters and coasted home.

Peliserro said his 0-3 team is going through a tough stretch.

“We had two at home to start out, and now we play our next eight games on the road,” he said.

Maija Sebbas had a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds, drawing the praise of her coach.

“Maija Sebbas is a good ballplayer, she’s going to score her points and play good defense,” Johnson noted. “We have to determine where the rest of our points are coming from.”

Freshman D’Andra Kero added 14 points, nailing four treys, for the Bulldogs. Another freshman, Taylor Sebbas, added nine points, while Pertile tossed in eight more.

The Speed Girls were paced by Megan Peterson with eight points and eight rebounds.

Hancock travels to Dollar Bay on Friday evening.

Bessemer 3 4 8 6 – 23

Hancock 13 17 16 10 – 56

BESSSMER — Peterson 8, Lynch 3, Emery 5, Manchester 4, Trcka 1. FT: 5-12; Rebounds: 27 (Peterson 8); Fouls: 15; Fouled out: None; 3-point FG: Peterson 2.

HANCOCK — M. Sebbas 23, Pertile 8, Kero 14, T. Sebbas 9, Heinonen 2. FT: 12-20; Rebounds: 32 (M. Sebbas 11); Fouls: 9; Fouled out: None; 3-point FG: Kero 4, Pertile 1, M. Sebbas 1.