In the end, it was the Jets who dominated their opponent in quarters three and four – outscoring the Blue Bolts 20-12, and winning 45-33.

“This one was won in the second half,” said Jets coach Chad Larson. “We knew that they would come out with energy, and, at times, it put us on our heels. We were, however, able to collect ourselves and pull away late.”

After winning the jump, the Blue Bolts shot out to a 10-5 lead in the first. However a triple by the Jets’ Taylor Heinonen tied it at 10, and the quarter wrapped knotted at 12.

The Blue Bolts continued to play patient, controlled basketball, but the Jets won the second quarter 13-9. They took a 25-21 lead into the locker room at half.

Jeffers coach Chad Larson talks strategy during a time out during a Division 4 District 98 quarterfinal matchup with Dollar Bay-Tamarack City at the Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Gym. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)

While the first half seemingly belonged to the Blue Bolts, who kept themselves in striking distance, the Jets controlled the third and fourth quarters. Defense was key as the Jeffers five limited the Blue Bolts to just three points in the fourth while they sunk 13.

“Game ball goes to Mia Nordstrom,” said Larson. “She kept us afloat – aggressiveness at the rim and was strong force on stopping drives on defense.”

She led the Jets with 12 points. Rita Isaacson and Taylor Heinonen both followed her with 10.

On the Blue Bolts’ side, it was senior Adelyn Swain who ended her high school career with 14.

Despite the loss, first-year Blue Bolts coach Devin Schmitz couldn’t have been prouder of the effort and growth his girls have made over the course of this season.

“It has been a night and day improvement from when we first started,” he said. “They looked like a basketball team tonight. I have been preaching to these girls that we need to peak in March, and tonight I feel like we did. We ended this season on a high note. I am so hopeful for the future. Girls basketball is back in Dollar Bay.”

UP NEXT

The Jets face Lake Linden-Hubbell Wednesday for a District 98 semifinal game. Tip off is set for 6 p.m. in Lake Linden.