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Peterson: Tech’s Monroe similar to ‘Duke’

The first time I saw Kyle Monroe put up a shot I was instantly reminded of another player.

It was, as they like to say, deja vu all over again.

Monroe, who will likely become the all-time leading scorer in Michigan Tech men’s basketball history this winter, reminded me of Dominic Jacobetti of Negauee St. Paul High.

Now, only sports fans over the age of 50 are likely remember Jacobetti.

He played his ball between 1962 and 1965 for a team that lost in the 1963 Class D state finals to Britton-Macon by a single point.

Britton-Macon was a two-time state champion and boasted of a lineup of 6-foot-10, 6-8 and 6-7. Negaunee SP’s tallest player was 6-3.

Jacobetti, better known as Duke, was a lefthanded shooter with unlimited range. Former teammate Walt Turino, who later coached and taught at Houghton High School, said Jacobetti would routinely sink 47 or 48 shots (ouf of 50) from near mid-court before practice.

Monroe likely has that kind of range, but Tech coach Kevin Luke is more than happy to have him score from all parts of the court.

While Jacobetti stood about 6-foot, Monroe is 6-5 and also leads the Huskies in rebounding.

What the two have in common is a smooth shot that barely ripples the net as it goes in. I believe only the real good lefty shooters have that trait.

Jacobetti finished his career with a then U.P. record of 2,150 points. Monroe, already over 2,000 in his career, will likely surpass the 2,360 points scored by Larry Grimes between 1968-1972.

I had the chance to play against Jacobetti twice in my career. In the first game, my Doelle team caught NSP off guard in 1963 at the old Houghton High gym.

We led at the half and into the fourth quarter before losing by seven. Jacobetti fouled out in the third quarter with just 15 points.

In the second game at Negaunee’s Lakeview Gym, it was a totally different outcome.

Jacobetti meshed 15-of-17 shots (all three-point baskets in today’s rules) and scored 37 points in three quarters in an 80-54 rout that wasn’t that close.

It was a total and complete beatdown — the worst I can ever recall.

Monroe, who I’ve often wondered didn’t end up in Madison with the Badgers, is the better of the two players.

But I would have liked to have seen them match up in a game of horse.

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