Chassell's Luke Tarvis puts up a free throw Thursday in a game against the L'Anse Purple Hornets in Chassell. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

CHASSELL — The L’Anse Purple Hornets boys basketball team capped off a three-game winning streak Thursday with a 74-53 win over the Chassell Panthers.

L’Anse coach Rob Potter is pleased with an 8-3 record now.

“This is where we were last year,” he said. “So we are in familiar territory, and I am not complaining.”

The Purple Hornets and the Panthers (1-7) shot out to a 5-5 tie and then again knotted at 10. It was 16-16 after one.

The Purple Hornets, however, outscored their opponent 18-10 in the second to lead by eight (34-26) at the half. The key to the lead for the Purple Hornets was unselfish basketball.

“We were shooting for 25 assists tonight,” stated Potter. “We moved the ball inside and got a lot of easy baskets off of turnovers. ”

Despite an urgent plea from their coach Joel Larson at halftime, the Panthers could not gain any ground in the third.

“We couldn’t stop their drives to the hoop,” he said.

A 50-39 lead for the Purple Hornets after three turned into a 74-53 win at the final buzzer.

Sam Lee led the scoring for the Purple Hornets with 27. J.J. Beeler followed with 17, and Devin Connor had 16.

We were patient and moved the ball well,” Potter added. “We gave game ball to Devin Connor. He showed up to play and did what he was supposed to do.”

For the Panthers, Luke Tarvis scored 21 and Grady Olson sunk 154

Up next

The Panthers were supposed to play the Calumet Copper Kings Monday, but that game has been rescheduled for February. The Panthers are off to Ontonagon to take on the Gladiators Wednesday. The Purple Hornets will welcome the Ewen Trout-Creek squad to their gym on Tuesday.