Lakes defeat Nimrods, 75-29

LAKE LINDEN — The Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes scored 24 points in the opening eight minutes of play and then rolled from there to a 75-29 win at home over the visiting Watersmeet Nimrods Thursday.

Carter Crouch led the way for the Lakes with 25 points on the night. He racked up 17 of those in helping the Lakes build up a 40-21 lead at the half.

In the second half, the Lakes continued to press forward and Cole Gregoire was able to pick up 16 of his 19 points in the second half.

“Watersmeet was shorthanded, and we were able to wear them out in the second half,” said Lakes coach Jack Kumpula. “Carter and Cole had a good night shooting the ball.”

Watersmeet was led in scoring by Julius Barajas, who picked up 12 points.

Watersmeet 10 11 6 2 – 29

Lake Linden 24 16 21 14 – 75

WAT: Barajas 12, Caron 8, Romensko 5, Winkka 4; Fouls: 6; Fouled out: none; 3-point field goals: Caron 2, Romenesko 1

LLH: Wickstrom-Huuki 4, Marhley 2, Crouch 25, Ca. Gregoire 7, Co. Gregoire 19, Wilson 13, Hill 2, K. Simpson 2, E. Simpson 1; Fouls: 12; Fouled out: none; 3-point field goals: Crouch 3, Ca. Gregoire 1, Co. Gregoire 1, Wilson 1.

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Purple Hornets hold off Gremlins, 62-56

L’ANSE — The visiting Houghton Gremlins got 30 points from leading scorer George Butvilas, including 17 in the second half, but it was not enough to overcome Louis Bogda’s 30 points as he led the L’Anse Purple Hornets to victory, 62-56, at home.

“I was intrigued by this game,” said Purple Hornets coach Kyle Koski. “Tonight, obviously we were playing Houghton with Butvilas and (Bradley) Sirard, but I had a funny feeling. Tonight, we could light it up.”

Koski felt that his team’s hard work in practice carried over to Thursday’s win.

“(The) kids have been focused all week and working hard,” he said. “We came out in the first quarter and hit five threes and led 20-10 after one.”

Bogda hit four of those threes himself. He added two more in the third quarter as part of a seven three-night.

Holding a seven-point lead at half, 30-23, the Purple Hornets found ways to hold off the Gremlins not named Butvilas.

“Butvilas had a great game for Houghton,” Koski said. “He’s one of the better players in the U.P. in my opinion and he is a matchup nightmare. He has athletic ability to elevate and score at will.

“In the end, it was a big conference win for us and I’m proud of my team’s toughness.”

Houghton 10 13 16 17 – 56

L’Anse 20 10 18 14 – 62

HHS: Keskimaki 8, Butvilas 30, Sirard 18; Fouls: 20; Fouled out: Sirard, Ashburn; 3-point field goals: Butvilas 3

LHS: Reed 6, Kissel 7, Bogda 30, Rajala 2, Waara 12, Laplant 4; Fouls: 15; Fouled out: none; 3-point field goals: Bogda 7, Kissel 2, Reed 1, Waara 1