Chassell coach Joel Larson gives some instructions to his team during a time out during a game against Ontonagon Wednesday at the Ed Helakoski Gym in Chassell. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

CHASSELL — The Chassell Panthers boys basketball team put together a complete game on their home court Wednesday and got what they deserved – a 59-57 win over Ontonagon. It was just their second win of the year, putting the Panthers at 2-8 on the season.

“We hit our shots, and that was key,” said Chassell coach Joel Larson.

More than half of Chassell’s scoring came from beyond the three-point arc.

It started with Dayne Tarvis scoring the first of his four triples to open the game. A 3-0 lead became an 8-2 one just minutes later after Tarvis hit his second 3-pointer.

While the Panthers led 10-2 with less than three minutes to go, the Gladiators (5-7) rallied for eight points, and it was a 13-10 Chassell lead after one.

Dayne Tarvis opened the second with a 3-pointer as well, and the Panthers quickly moved from a three-point lead of 13-10 to a 23-13 difference in the early part of the second. They kept that pace and split for the locker room ahead at 31-22.

The third quarter was Ontonagon’s best as they outscored the Panthers by three (15-12). In fact, they got within five points of the Panthers at 39-34, but that was as good as it got. Chassell kept a lead at 43-37 with the fourth quarter in front of them.

In the final eight minutes, the Chassell five persevered with patient shots and good rebounding to keep the Gladiators at bay and earn the win

“We hit a lull there in the third but came back and responded well,” noted Larson. “We got back on track and never lost the lead. That composure was good to see.”

Brayden Larson led the scoring chart for the Panthers with 23 points.

“He gets the game ball. He had a great game,” noted his coach.

Teammates Dayne and Luke Tarvis followed him in double figures. Dayne had 14 points, and Luke put in 10.

For the Gladiators Jack Nelson led the scoring with 22. Mason Pestka had 11 and Jace Pestka sunk 10.

This was the second time these two rivals had played this month. On Jan. 9, the Gladiators won 70-59 at home.

Up next

Both teams will play next on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The Panthers will travel to Watersmeet to face the Nimrods. The Gladiators will welcome the Calumet Copper Kings.