Hancock’s Ellen Sturos looks to pass against Jeffers on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, in Hancock, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)

HANCOCK — The Hancock girls’ basketball team open up their season at home on Thursdays with a 43-30 win over the Jeffers Jets.

According to Hancock head coach Dan Pertile it was the Bulldogs defense that won the game.

“It was a god win,” he said. “I thought our defense was exceptional. We were able to keep them out of the middle and hold them down. From a team stand point, everybody chipped in and did their part. Every player I think had a steal and kept us in the game.”

While the Jets sunk the first basket, Hancock’s Marrisa Nordstrom countered at the other end with a three and the Bulldogs never looked back. They kept the Jets to just four points in the first quarter while they poured in 13.

In the second quarter, the Bulldogs kept the Jets at bay while they themselves worked the ball around on offense. The Bulldogs tenacious defense kept the Jets out of sync and unable to string together an offense. As well, the Jets got into foul trouble early and put the Bulldogs at the foul line.

“It’s early in the season, but I thought we worked the ball well,” Pertile said. “There was some good flow, but we need to make our shots,” added Pertile.

At half time the Bulldogs led 25-12.

“I told the girls at half time that they were still in the game,” said Jeffers head coach Addie Saltarelli. ” I told them also to knock off the fouls. For the most part, the second half was our better game.”

The Jets came within 10 points of the Bulldogs but that was as close as they got as the clock wound down.

For the Bulldogs, Senior D’Andra Kero and freshman Isabella Herbert led the offense with eight points each. Sophomore Kalli Chynoweth followed with seven.

Junior Miranda Heinonen led the Jets with 11 points- nine of them coming beyond the three-point arc.

“We are going to work on our shooting,” said Pertile. “We missed too many shots, and some of that is just the fact that the season is young. We’ll get there.”

Jeffers 4 8 11 7 — 30

Hancock 13 12 12 6 — 43

JEFFERS (30): B. Heinonen 2, Hill 4, Nordstrom 4, Johnson 4 , M. Heinonen 11, Pennala 5. 3-point FG: M. Heinonen 3, Pennala 1. Fouls: 17 (B. Heinonen fouled out). FT: 8-11

HANCOCK (43): Sturos 2, Chynoweth 7, Sebbas 4, Dube 2, Pertile 1, Brey 2, Kero 8, Salani 5, Driscoll 4, Hebert 8. 3-point FG: Kero 1. Fouls: 16. FT 8-15.

Panthers rout Republic

CHASSELL — The Chassell Panthers opened up their season at home with a 66-19 win over the Republic-Michigamee Hawks in girls basketball on Thursday.

The Panthers (1-0) had three girls in double figures. Maelene Warren led with 16. Paige Sleeman poured in 14 and Alix Palosaari put up 12. Warren alos had two three-pointers as the Panthers posted more than 15 points each quarter for the win.

Republic 4 3 7 5 — 19

Chassell 19 17 16 17 — 66

REPUBLIC-MICHIGAMME (19) Radcliffe 5, Laakso 2, Raisanen 6, McCracken 6. 3-point FG: Radcliffe 1, Raisanen 1. Fouls: 10. FT: 5-10.

CHASSELL (66): Holombo 2, Warren 16, J. Huhta 1, Sleeman 14, McClure 4, K. Huhta 4, Palosaari 12, Rantamaki 8, N. Huhta 1, L. Huhta 4. 3-point FG: Warren 2, Sleeman 1. Fouls: 14. FT: 5-10.

Gladiators knock off Nimrods

ONTONAGON — The Tim Routheaux era for the Ontonagon Gladiators began with a dominant 61-32 win over Watersmeet on Thursday.

Rotheaux took over this season after U.P. Sports Hall of Fame coach Dick Franti stepped down after more than 500 wins across 35 seasons.

Rotheaux only has 499 wins to go.

The Gladiators (1-0) were led by MaKennah Uotila’s 15 points. Nicole Lukkari had 13 of the Gladiators’ 40 rebounds.

Ontonagon had a 30-16 halftime lead. The Gladiators shot 21 of 63 from the field.

Watersmeet shot 12 of 44.

Ontonagon JV won.

Watersmeet 6 10 8 8 — 32

Ontonagon 12 18 21 10 — 61

WATERSMEET (32): Nelson 3, Lemery 6, Besonen 12, Brunk 5, Poler 2, Pallin 4. FT: 7-15. 3-point FG: Brunk 1. Rebounds: 31 (Besonen 7, Pallin 7). FG: 12-44.

ONTONAGON (61): T. Menigoz 7, E. Menigoz 17, Fredrikson 2, Kolpack 11, Pollard 1, Uotila 15, Lukkari 8. FT: 17-24. 3-point FG: T. Menigoz 1. Rebounds: 40 (T. Menigoz 2, E. Menigoz 3, Fredrikson 2, McIntyre 2, Kolpack 4, Pollard 4, Haapala 3, Uotila 7, Lukkari 13) FG: 21-63.

Purple Hornets rout LL-H

LAKE LINDEN — L’Anse poured it on in the first quarter to take command in a 67-28 girls basketball win over Lake Linden-Hubbell on Thursday.

The Purple Hornets (1-0) put the press on in the first quarter and led 29-6 going into the second quarter.

Addison Mattson had 18 points for L’Anse. Maija Rice added 14 points.

Maci Dostaler led Lake Linden-Hubbell with nine points.

L’Anse 29 18 13 7 — 67

LL-H 6 8 6 8 — 28

L’ANSE (67): Mattson 18, Rice 14, Waara 10, Jorgenson 7, Swanson 6, Voskuhl 5, Martinez 3, Pelon 2, Sanregret 2. FT: 6-6. F: 12. 3-point FG: Mattson 2, Martinez 1, Voskuhl 1.

LAKE LINDEN-HUBBELL (28): Dostaler 9, Corrigan 6, Baccus 5, Hendrickson 5, Ghazale 2, Wagner 1. FT: 5-10. 3-point FG: Dostaler 1. F: 4.