EWEN — In another back-and-forth contest in the Ewen-Trout Creek and Ontonagon rivalry, the Panthers persevered 53-48 in a Copper Country conference game Monday in Ewen.

“All the games have been like that,” E-TC coach Brad Besonen said. “It’s hard to get any kind of separation.”

Jake Witt led the Panthers with 28 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks. He showcased his versatility by knocking down two 3s and slamming home multiple dunks.

“The first half he was really sticking jumpers and his pull-ups were falling,” Besonen said. “He got to the rim really well.”

With E-TC’s Noah Nordine dealing with foul trouble, E-TC was left with just two bigs and was forced to play Witt and Jaden Borseth for much of the game. Both teams’ offense trailed off as the night went on. After a 38-35 E-TC halftime lead, the teams combined for just 28 second-half points with the Panthers holding a 15-13 advantage.

“You could tell everyone was starting to feel their legs in the second half and neither team shot well,” Besonen said.

Tanner Balcomb led the Gladiators with 17 points, and James Domitrovich added 11 points.

“Balcomb has a good mid-range jumper, and he can put it on the floor and get to the rim, too,” Besonen said.

The Gladiators had success slipping their big men on screens to beat the E-TC defense, forcing Besonen to go to a 2-3 zone. From there, the Panthers were able to limit Ontonagon’s inside attack. Ontonagon’s duo of Domitrovich and Balcomb combined for just five second-half points.

“We did a good job of taking away free-throw line extended and the blocks where they were having success,” Besonen said.

Next, E-TC will head to Hancock on Thursday; Ontonagon goes to Republic on the same day.

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Ontonagon 13 22 7 6 — 48

E-TC 18 20 9 6 — 53

Ontonagon — Polakowski 5, Weisinger 2, Domitrovich 11, Buzzo 2, Howard 2, Menigoz 3, Blake 3, Balcomb 17. F: 10; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 7-13; 3-point field goals: Balcomb, Menigoz, Domitrovich.

E-TC — Eli Nordine 8, Driesenga 2, Noah Nordine 6, Jaden Borseth 9, Witt 28. F: 14; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 4-7; 3-point field goals: Witt 2, Jaden Borseth, Noah Nordine, Eli Nordine.

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CHASSELL — The Chassell Panthers wasted no time getting the 2017-18 season started. Chassell outscored Watersmeet 34-9 in the first quarter before cruising to a 72-30 Copper Country conference victory Monday in Chassell.

Elijah Soumis led the Panthers with 21 points, while Abe Gockenbach added 13 points. The Panthers shot 52 percent from the field and were 3 of 6 from 3-point range.

“Great way to start the season for us,” Chassell coach Bill Sleeman said.

Devin Kinnunen paced the Panthers with 11 rebounds, and Aaron Barnes tallied eight rebounds.

Next, Chassell hosts Baraga on Thursday.

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Watersmeet 9 5 7 9 — 30

Chassell 34 12 20 6 — 72

Watersmeet — Barajas 2, McKinney 4, Geshick 2, Winkka 9, T. McGeshick 2, Romenesko 3, Caron 8. F: 7; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 5-6; 3-point field goals: Caron 2, Romenesko.

Chassell — Warren 6, Hokenson 8, Gockenbach 13, Kytta 7, Barnes 7, Tuomi 4, Soumis 21, Kinnunen 6. F: 6; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 5-7; 3-point field goals: Gockenbach, Kytta, Barnes.

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BARAGA – Lake Linden-Hubbell went on the road and dominated Baraga, 62-39 on Monday. The Lakes controlled the game from the start, jumping out to a 43-25 lead at halftime and coasting from there. 

Carter Crouch lead all scorers with 24 points, and teammate Peter Heikkinen chipped in with 13. 

Baraga was led by Gunner Lindemann, who scored 10 points. 

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LL-H 24 9  6  13 – 62 

Baraga 13  12  11  3 – 39

LL-H – Crouch 24, Ca. Gregoire 9, Co Gregoire 8, Heikkinen 13, Hill 2, Wilson 6. FTs: 8-20. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. 

Baraga – G. Lindemann 10, C Lindemann 8, Smith 3, Rasanen 4, Koskinen 6, Sackett 6. FTs: 3-9. Fouls: 14.  Fouled out: None.