But there was more drama than usual because of HHS senior Brad Simonsen’s bid to become the all-time scorer for the Gremlins.

Simonsen reached his goal when he scored on a rebound shot with 1:47 remaining in an eventual 68-60 Houghton victory.

That basket gave him a total of 1,588 points — one point better than Tony Maino’s old mark set in 1994.

Coach Jared Lawson said the play of his star player never fails to amaze him.

Lake Linden-Hubbell's Caleb Gregoire (20) shoots in front of Houghton's Jordan Jurva (2) on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

“The thing about Brad (Simonsen) is that he has improved his game every single season,” Lawson said. “You know that is quite an accomplishment, it takes a lot of extra work. He’s been willing to make the sacrifice.”

The Lakes (5-11) were almost unwilling guests to the festivities as they gave Houghton (9-7) all it wanted for more than three quarters.

“We knew they (Lakes) would come out tough,” Lawson said. “They always do.”

In fact, a triple by hot-shooting Caleb Gregoire a few seconds into the fourth quarter gave LL-H at brief 48-47 lead.

Simonsen righted the situation with a triple of his own and Pablo Salgado dumped in a hoop to lift the Gremlins into a 52-48 lead it would never relinquish.

Houghton's Brad Simonsen poses with a ball commemorating him becoming the school's all-time leading scorer during a game against Lake Linden-Hubbell on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Lakes’ coach Jack Kumpula said his team hustled all-out and shot the long ball much better than they have all season.

“I’m proud of the effort the kids gave out, they were up against a much taller team. But they never stopped trying,” he said.

To their credit, the Lakes started out slowly to begin the game. But a 9-4 deficit turned into a 19-18 lead after one for the Torch Lake crew.

Five opening period triples — they connected on 13 in all — keyed to the Lakes’ turnabout.

But 23 points in the first half by Simonsen gave HHS a slender 35-31 margin at the half

Houghton's Brad Simonsen, center, stands with friends holding a sign commemorating him becoming the school's all-time leading scorer during a game against Lake Linden-Hubbell on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

The two teams battled on even terms in the third stanza. Caleb Gregoire kept the Lakes close with ten points in the quarter.

“Caleb Gregoire really did some nice outside shooting tonight,” Kumpula said. “I think we’re adjusting and playing pretty good basketball after all the injury problems.”

Besides his 40 points, the 6-foot-6 Simonsen found time to grab 13 rebounds. Salgado notched 12 points and 10 boards.

The Lakes, who have lost standouts Carter Crouch and Will Lyons this season, were paced by Caleb Gregoire with 23 points. Alex Mahrley put in 15 more, while Markus Sutherland and Cole Gregoire split 16 more. The latter had eight rebounds.

Houghton, with its fourth straight win, travels to unbeaten Iron Mountain on Thursday. The Lakes visit Calumet on Friday.

Lake Linden-Hubbell's Caleb Gregoire (20) blocks a shot by Houghton's Jordan Jurva (2) on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Lawson said his team will now try to improve in time for the tourneys.

“It gets tougher right away on Thursday,” he said. “But we have to keep working.”

LL-Hubbell 19 12 16 13 — 60

Houghton 18 17 13 20 — 68

LAKE LINDEN-HUBBELL (60): Caleb Gregoire 23, Mahrley 15, Codere 4. Sutherland 8, Cole Gregoire 8, Hill 2. FT: 1-2. Reboounds: 22 (Sutherland 8). F: 10. Fouled out: None. 3-point FG: Caleb Gregoire 5, Mahrley 3, Sutherland 2, Cole Gregoire 2, Codere 1.

The Houghton student section holds up a sign commemorating Brad Simonsen becoming the school's all-time leading scorer during a game against Lake Linden-Hubbell on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON (68): Romano 3, Jurva 7, Delgado 12. Simonsen 40. Ruotsala 6. FT: 7-9. F: 9. Fouled out: None. 3-point FG: Simonsen 4, Ruotsala 2, Romano 1, Salgado 1, Jurva 1.

Houghton's Brad Simonsen (23) shoots in front of Lake Linden-Hubbell's Mason Codere (12) on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. Simonsen became Houghton's all-time leading scorer with the basket. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Houghton's Brad Simonsen (23) battles for a rebound between Lake Linden-Hubbell's Cole Gregoire (23) and Mason Codere (12) on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Houghton's Brad Simonsen (23) shoots against Lake Linden-Hubbell on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Houghton's Brad Simonsen (23) puts up a shot in front of Lake Linden-Hubbell's Cole Gregoire (23) defends on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Houghton's Brad Simonsen (23) drives to the basket as Lake Linden-Hubbell's Cole Gregoire (23) defends on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Houghton's Brad Simonsen (23) shoots as Lake Linden-Hubbell's Cole Gregoire (23) defends on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Houghton's Brad Simonsen (23) shoots against Lake Linden-Hubbell on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Houghton's Pablo Salgado (22) drives to the basket as Lake Linden-Hubbell's Alex Marhley (3) on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)