Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Gabe Popko battles for a rebound against Ontonagon’s Jack Nelson (10) during a game Tuesday in the Lake Linden-Hubbell Gym. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)

LAKE LINDEN — As January reaches the half-way point, high school boys and girls basketball teams should be in a rhythm, or a routine, of play, and this is when that team begins to focus on where they need to be by the end of the season.

Count the Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes boys basketball team as one of those teams as they showed their “rhythm” on both ends of the court on Tuesday in their 77-38 win against the Ontonagon Gladiators.

“It was a good game for us,” said Lakes coach Brett Poissant. “Our defense was strong, and I liked how we transitioned and fed the offense at the other end. Our attack was much stronger tonight, and that is something we have been working on.”

The Lakes opened the first with a nine-point lead at 12-3 and closed it out at 22-10.

They bucketed another 20 in the second quarter for a 42-19 half time score.

Ontonagon’s best quarter was the third, where they scored 12 points. However, the Lakes (8-2) pumped in 31 in that same quarter and another four in the final eight minutes for the victory.

Despite the loss, Gladiators coach Brittany Turin-Jilbert liked the enthusiasm of which her boys played.

“We knew that we were going to be out-sized, but I was pleased with our effort,” she said. “I liked how we played physically, and how we were patient with our shots.”

While Gabe Popko led the scoring with 22 points for Lake Linden, Poissant was impressed with the play of Mason Holzberger.

“He only had three points, but he rebounds well and facilitates the offense,” said Poissant. “He is an unsung hero.”

Behind Popko in scoring was Danny Marcotte with 13. Matthew Jokela poured in 11.

For the Gladiators, Jack Nelson led with 11 points, and Abi Pestka scored nine.

Jilbert noted the strong play of Jerry Majurin – the Gladiators’ unsung hero. He had eight points.

“Jerry was scrappy,” said Turin-Jilbert. “He forced a couple of turnovers and played Popko very well, giving him fits in the paint.”

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The Gladiators will travel to Baraga Wednesday to face the Vikings. Tip off is set for 7:15 p.m. The Lakes will travel to Bessemer on Friday to take on the Speedboys.