Jeffers’ Landon Larson shoots a jump shot over the defense of Hancock’s Mason Wittanen (42) during the consolation game of the inaugural Copper Country Holiday Tournament Tuesday at the SDC Gym in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — In the consolation game of the inaugural Copper Country Holiday Tournament, the Jeffers Jets boys got contributions from eight of the 10 players they put on the floor in a 59-29 win over the Hancock Bulldogs Tuesday at the SDC Gym.

For the Jets, the game was a golden opportunity for them to go deep on their bench and get everyone involved. Coach Mike Saari felt it was a great learning experience for his entire team.

“It’s always good to get a win, especially when you can get a quick lead and get all the young guys some action, because they put just as much time as all the other kids in practice,” he said. “It’s good to see them with the smiles on their faces, and getting some playing time. It’s good for their development, especially for freshmen, sophomores.”

The Jets (3-6 overall) flew out to a 16-6 lead after eight minutes, much of that coming out of the hands of senior Caden Whitaker, who racked up 12 points in the quarter. He hit four 3-pointers from almost the same spot, all in a row.

Saari loved seeing his senior find his rhythm for a moment.

“He’s one of those kids that’s quiet,” Saari said. “He’s just very business-like, does what he does, what he’s supposed to do. He is such a streaky shooter when it comes to that.

“I think we try to build his confidence. We’re like, ‘Man, you are such a good shooter.’ I see it every day in practice, and it’s good to see a little blip of that being like, ‘See, told you so. You are a good shooter. You just don’t think it all the time.’

“When he starts seeing it go in the hoop, I think it’ll build his confidence, and hopefully we see that throughout the rest of the season.”

Whitaker added another 3-pointer in the second to finish with a game-high 15 points.

Hancock (1-5 overall) played with just five players active as freshman Crew Caserio suffered an injury in Monday’s loss to Houghton.

“I mean, it is what it is,” he said. “Jeffers did a nice job. Every kid they brought in was comfortable, took shots, and they pressured really well. They have a couple seniors on their team that play with a lot of confidence, and their coach does a really good job of getting those kids to play really, really hard. So credit to them.”

Saari complimented the Bulldogs for their effort despite the extremely short bench.

“I want to give props to those five Hancock kids,” he said. “They played their hearts out from start to finish. It’s not an easy task, and I want to give them very big props for that.”

In the second quarter, Hancock’s Isaac Wanhala, a sophomore, started to find his way. He hit a 3-pointer and added a pair of free throws to score all five of the Bulldogs’ points. He finished the game as Hancock’s top scorer with 13 points.

Brexton Kinnunen, who finished with eight points, opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer and later added a layup for five of the Jets’ nine points in the frame.

The Jets picked up 19 points in the third quarter, with senior Landon Larson leading the way with seven points in the frame. Freshman Trevor Kangas and Brexton Kinnunen hit 3-pointers as well.

Wanala opened the quarter with a 3-pointer just 12 seconds in. He was fouled on the play, but missed the free throw.

Sophomore Gage Chynoweth got on the board with a layup with 2:21 left. He finished his night with 10 points for the Bulldogs, eight of which came in the fourth quarter.

Jay Caserio loves the fire Chynoweth plays with.

“Speaking of playing hard, he does play hard,” said Jay Caserio. “He doesn’t ever seem to get tired. Coaches say he plays with a motor, and I feel like he does play with a good motor.

“I wish more guys would follow his lead as far as playing with a consistent effort. There’s some guys that do that, but then they’ll take a couple plays off in a row. You just can’t do that (at this level).”

Hancock scored 13 points in the final eight minutes for their best stretch of action in the game. Jeffers picked up 15, however, which stretched the lead slightly more, leading to the 30-point deficit when the final buzzer sounded.

Up next

The Jets are back in action a week from Tuesday, when they host Ishpeming. The Bulldogs are off until Jan. 5, when they host Ishpeming.