Hancock’s Myles Lewis (left) and Jeffers’ Isaiah Frahm look for a rebound on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, in Painesdale, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

PAINESDALE — The Jeffer’s Jets flew past the Hancock Bulldogs with Mach speed on Monday with a lopsided 73-22 victory.

The Jets (8-1) held the Bulldogs (1-7) to just six points in the first two periods. This included a shut out in the second period.

While Hancock’s head coach Zach Ohtonen knew his team had their work cut out going into this one, he was not pleased with the effort his Bulldogs gave.

“My biggest frustration tonight was the lack of mental toughness,” he said. “So often, the other team will get ahead by 10 or 15 points, and our kids will roll over and die. It’s that simple. These kids are so used to losing that they just cave in. That mentality has to change.”

Jeffers shooters were hot from the tip-off. Andrew Kinnunen poured in 12 of his 17 points in the first quarter alone. He led the Jets with 17 points which included three three-pointers. Along with Kinnunen, the Jets had three other players in double figures. They included Johnny Schutz with 15. Levi Frahm poured in 13, and Brett Stevens had 10.

It was 26-6 after one, and the second period only got worse for Hancock. They had too many turnovers, very few rebounds and a weak defense. Not only did they not score in the second, but they had very few good shots. Headed into the locker rooms at half time the Jets led 49-6.

“I told the team that they needed to step up and act like you want to be here,” Ohtonen said. “Because I don’t think they did.”

In the second half of the game, Jeffer’s head coach John Schutz was able to play a number of his bench players — with mixed results.

“They gave up one too many points in my opinion,” he said. “Their defense wasn’t there as I would like it, and some of that is because they are not always in. However, they looked to score and they played hard, and that is what we ask for.”

The fourth quarter was Hancock’s best. They poured in 14 points, but it was way too little and far too late according to their coach.

“You can’t show up in the fourth quarter and expect to win,” Ohtonen said. “We need to put together a whole game.”

HCHS 6 0 2 14 — 22

JHS 26 23 12 12 — 73

HANCOCK (22): Jacques 6, Larson 2, Sebbas 6, Pietila 6, Lewis 2. 3-pointers: None. FT: 6-9.

JEFFERS (73): Kinnunen 17, L. Frahm 13, L. Heinonen 5, Stevens 10, Larson 2, M. Schutz 3, J. Schutz 15, R. Heinonen 2, I. Frahm, 6. 3-pointers: Kinnunen 3, L. Frahm 1, L. Heinonen 1, Stevens 1, M. Schutz 1, J. Schutz 2. FT: 8-9.