Copper Kings boys stop Panthers, 42-36
Calumet's Peter Torola (12) and Andrew Junttila (2) block out Chassell's Grady Olson (white) during a free throw on Tuesday at the Ed Helakoski Gym in Chassell. (Eddie O'Neill/For the Gazette)
CHASSELL — What a difference two weeks make in the world of Calumet boys basketball. In late January, the Copper Kings fell to the Chassell Panthers, 66-48. Fast forward to Tuesday, and the boys in blue stopped the Panthers in their tracks by earning a 42-36 win on the road in the Ed Helakoski Gym.
“We did such a great job of holding them to under 40 points,” said Calumet coach Frank Bonacorsi. “(Chassell’s) Brayden Larson had 32 points alone against us in that first game. Peter Torola did a great job of guarding him and keeping him to just 14 points. Our defensive effort won the game for us.”
While Chassell led 13-7 after one, the Copper Kings pushed out to a 6-1 scoring run in the second and tied things at 16. Calumet’s John Golus hit a triple and the Copper Kings led 19-18. They added two more and led 21-18 at half.
“I told the boys at half to just keep chipping away,” Bonacorsi added. “Keep playing gritty defense and take some time on our shots.”
The Panthers (5-10) tied the game at 23, 25 and 27 and took a brief 29-27 lead into the fourth. However the Copper Kings (5-13) heeded their coach’s words and put together a complete fourth quarter on both ends of the court. They outscored their opponent 15-7 and earned a victory.
“This was a great team win, and I am very proud of the effort everyone put in,” said Bonacorsi.
He gave the game ball to Hayden Rajala who had eight points.
“He came off the bench and gave us some big minutes all over the court,” Bonacorsi said.
Peter Torola led the scoring for Calumet with 14 points.
Dayne Tarvis followed Larson with 11 points for Chassell.
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The Copper Kings traveled to Westwood on Thursday. The Panthers welcomed Jeffers to their gym that same day.





