Dollar Bay’s AJ Datto, left, rises for a shot as Bessemer’s Riley Wroblewski defends Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, in Bessemer, Mich. (Jason Juno/Ironwood Daily Globe)

BESSEMER — The schedule maker didn’t do Bessemer any favors.

Adjusting to life without four of their starters from last year, Bessemer has faced two of the top of teams in the Copper Mountain Conference with the season only in its second week.

After losing a tight non-conference battle against Ironwood, the Speedboys lost to Wakefield-Marenisco last week and the result was the same when Dollar Bay-Tamarack City came to town Monday night. The Blue Bolts, who went to the state semifinal last year and return three of the top players in the U.P., won big 69-45.

“I truly believe the pieces are there,” Bessemer coach Richard Matrella said. “We’ve just got to get it working in the same direction.”

The Speedboys took a very early lead, 4-1, on baskets by Anthony Metas, who had a team-high 12 points, and Lane Kortemeier.

Bessemer though, missed several scoring chances near the rim that could have put some early pressure on Dollar Bay. Instead, the Blue Bolts outscored Bessemer 21-10 the rest of the quarter.

The seven points Dollar Bay got from Davin Hill wasn’t a surprise, he’s one of a strong trio of returning players from last year’s stellar team that also includes Connor LeClaire and Ashton Janke. It was the eight points they got from AJ Datto that turned heads. He had 15 of his 18 by halftime. He hit a pair of 3s and scored more than once after stealing it in the backcourt.

“We know that’s in him,” said Dollar Bay coach Jesse Kentala, who was U.P. coach of the year the past two seasons. “But the first two games, he’s a sophomore and he’s getting acclimated, but he kind of arrived tonight. He had one heck of a game. He was all over creating ruckus, steals and getting up in those passing lanes and getting easy offense.”

Dollar Bay led 37-23 at the half after the speedy Blue Bolts forced 14 first-half turnovers with that type of disruptive defense.

“It’s the turnovers and the easy stuff that they get,” Matrella said. “The half-court, they didn’t get too much easy stuff until the end when it becomes mop-up. They must have got four, five breakouts in the first half on passes you’re not supposed to throw. And we got some foolish turnovers and next thing you know you’re down 12 in what should be a hard-fought game.”

Dollar Bay kept the foot on the gas in the third quarter, extending the lead to 27, 60-33.

This time it was All-U.P. First Teamer Ashton Janke scoring 13 of his game-high 26 points to make it a blowout.

“We come out in the second half in the four most important minutes of the game and they extend it to 27,” Matrella said. “And the game’s over. I don’t care what kind of team you have.

“…(Their) speed’s big, but just the constant effort. You saw in the third quarter. We could not handle it.”

Dollar Bay is likely in line to be the top team in the first U.P. Division 4 poll of the season early in the new year. While they were thought to be in a bit of a rebuilding mode at the beginning of last year after their first trip to the state semifinal, they are widely considered the team to beat now with so much returning talent after their second trip to the semi.

“Every team is a little different,” Kentala said. “We’re trying to figure out spots and our pieces and where we want guys to be in different rotations of our offense, defensive pressure. It’s hard when there’s a bullseye on your back and you know you’re going to get everybody’s best. That makes life tough when you’re still trying to figure out who you are. But you know what, we’ll take it, I’m pretty proud of this group.”

Jack Matrella scored 11 points after getting the start for Bessemer.

“Tough place to play, this Bessemer team has good things coming. There’s some pieces here,” Kentala said.

Bessemer (0-3, 0-2) goes to Ontonagon on Jan. 3.

Dollar Bay 22 10 28 9 — 69

Bessemer 14 9 10 12 — 45

DOLLAR BAY (69): Datto 18, Janke 26, Myllyoja 6, LeClaire 8, Hill 9. FTs: 6-7. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None. 3-point FG: Datto 3, Janke 3, Myllyoja 2, Hill 1.

BESSEMER (45): Brunell 2, Matrella 11, Solberg 5, Worblewski 4, Trudgeon 2, Metas 12, Kortemeier 9. FTs: 3-6. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None. 3-point FG: Matrella 3, Metas 2, Solberg 1, Kortemeier 1.