DOLLAR BAY — Coming off of their first win in their last contest – over Chassell on Jan. 2nd – the Hancock Bulldogs boys’ basketball team (1-4) gave undeafeated host Dollar Bay-Tamarack City (7-0) a scare on Thursday night.

The Blue Bolts asserted themselves in the second half of non-conference action however to earn a tough 72-56 victory on the first night of back-to-back home games.

“I talked to the guys about this being a little bit of a trap game,” said Dollar Bay head coach Jesse Kentala. “There was a lot to feel out in that first half and we just really did a poor job in a number of areas.”

Dollar Bay did make a living throughout this one getting to the basket though, on dribble drives and also feeding the ball to the rim. The upperclassmen trio of Ashton Janke (28 points), Davin Hill (23) and Connor LeClaire (15) combined to score 66 points, nearly all of the DB-TC offensive ouput. Janke was perfect at the foul line, going 9-9, setting the tone for a solid night from the free-throw line for the Bolts (83 percent).

A young Hancock squad with five freshmen on the varsity saw a couple of those first-year players step up. Ninth-grader Elijah Packard dropped in 20 points, including six 3-pointers, and classmate Vandan Jacques hit double figures with 10 points. Bulldog junior Carsen Chynoweth scored 12 also.

The two teams felt each other out over the first several minutes, but the Blue Bolts established themselves creating consistent driving lanes from the top of the arc to the goal and DB took an eight-point margin to the sideline after the opening period.

Hancock dug in defensively and exploded for 24 points in the second.

But Dollar Bay came out ready in the third quarter. The Bolts put in the first four points of the second half to regain the lead that they would never relinquish. DB finished the third act on an 18-4 run and the home team was firmly in control 54-43 after 24 minutes of court time.

Janke got into foul trouble and had to sit the last three minutes of the third and didn’t return until more than two minutes were gone in the fourth. But DB was able to extend their lead to 17 points (60-43) with their senior standout on the bench.

Hancock closed to within 15 points at 63-48 midway through the final quarter, but that was as close as they would get for the reat of the night. The Dawgs trailed 70-49 with three minutes left in the contest.

HCH brings in Negaunee Monday for a WestPAC tilt.

Hancock 13 24 6 13 — 56

Dollar Bay 21 15 18 — 72

HANCOCK (56): Packard 20, Chynoweth, 12, Jacques 10, Raasio 10, Barrette 2, Froiland 2. FT: 3-9. 3-point FG: Packard 6, Raasio 3.

DOLLAR BAY-TAMARACK CITY (72): Janke 28, Hill 23, LeClaire 15, Myllyoja 4,Datto 2. FT: 15-18. 3-point FG: Janke 1, Myllyoja 1.

Ontonagon 67, Wakefield-Marenisco 66

ONTONAGON — It came down to free throws, and the Ontonagon Gladiators proved to be perfect as they squeaked out a 67-66 win.

Latvis and Soumis finished with 25 and 20 points respectfully. On the night the Gladiators were 18 -23 on free throws.

Turin-Jilbert was also pleased with her team’s defense.

Girls: Marquette 55, Calumet 42

MARQUETTE — The Redettes took the lead in the first quarter and didn’t look back as they took down the Copper Kings.

Aspen Michelin and Maria Millado both had 11 points for Marquette (6-2), while Ellie Djerf led Calumet with 19.

Girls: L’Anse 66, Republic-Michigamme 17

L’ANSE — The Purple Hornets swarmed around the Hawks from start to finish and earned an easy win.

L’Anse’s Maija Rice led all scorers with 22 points, while Addison Mattson had 18 and Kailyn Voskuhl had 12.