PAINESDALE — The Hancock Bulldogs took care of business right away in the girls basketball MHSAA Division 3 District 65 opener against Jeffers Monday night.

Jumping out to a 23-2 lead after one period, the Bulldogs had no trouble advancing to a Wednesday night meeting with Negaunee with a 72-26 win.

That semifinal contest will be played at Hancock’s gym.

HCHS coach Ward Helakoski said his team “did a lot of good things early.”

“Our effort was good, we didn’t give them (Jets) a chance to play early in the game,” Helakoski said. “You like to see that in any game.”

With the aforementioned cushion, the Bulldogs applied steady pressure on an overmatched Jeffers squad.

Sophomore Bella Hebert was especially outstanding for the 11-4 winners in the opening two frames.

The 5-foot-10 forward dumped in 17 of her game leading 19 points in the first two stanzas. She also grabbed eight rebounds and made four steals in that time.

“She (Hebert) does that on a regular basis,” Helakoski said. “She’s very steady.”

Several Bulldogs made contributions, including Kaydence Kilpela, Cassie Pietila, Kaisa Salani and Marina Kero, who combined to score 30 more points.

Kelli Chynoweth was also steady on defense with five steals.

Olivia Anderson had nine points and nine rebounds for the Jets.

Helakoski said Negaunee poses a strong test on Wednesday.

“(Miners) have some very polished inside players, and they’re big and strong,” he said. “So we have to be aware of that.”

HCHS 23 17 14 18 — 72

JHS 2 11 2 13 — 26

HANCOCK (72): Chynoweth 6, Hebert 19, Salani 7, M. Kero 7, Aho 4, Pietila 8, Koskela 3, Driscoll 2, Brey 5, Kein 2. FT: 12-19. Rebunds: 36 (Hebert 12). Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None: 3-point FG: Kilpela 3, Salani 1.

JEFFERS (26): Pennala 5, Anderson 9, Asiala 2, Heinonen 4, Johnson 4, Mattila 2. FT: 8-12. Rebounds: 22 (Anderson 9) Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None. 3-point FG: Anderson 1, Pennala 1.