Jeffers’ Levi Kinnunen controls the ball while Landon Larson and Calumet’s Peter Torola battle for position under the basket during a Division 3 District 65 quarterfinal game Monday at the Jeffers gym in Painesdale. (Paula Porter/For the Gazette)

PAINESDALE — Trailing 26-20 at half time, the Calumet Copper Kings fought their way back to within one with eight minutes to go, but could not overcome that advantage in a 40-39 loss to the Jeffers Jets Monday in a Division 3 District 65 quarterfinal matchup at the Jeffers gym.

Landon Larson had a huge night for the Jets, scoring a game-high 21 points.

Larson got things moving in the right direction for the Jets right away as he made four baskets and added a free throw in the opening eight minutes. Caden Whitaker added a 3-pointer for the Jets as well as Jeffers scored 16 in the first quarter.

Calumet countered with a 3-pointer from John Golus and a basket each from Owen Loukus and Peter Torola, but trailed by five, 16-11.

In the second, Andrew Junttila hit a 3-pointer and Torola added a pair of baskets as the Copper Kings scored nine points.

However, Larson racked up three more baskets, and Levi Kinnunen added two as part of a 10-point quarter.

In the third quarter, the Copper Kings started to really push back. Junttila hit another 3-pointer. Loukus also sandwiched a three around a pair of baskets. Torola also added a basket, and the Copper Kings scored 12 points.

Meanwhile, the Jets got a 3-pointer from Kinnunen, and two other baskets to score just seven, which allowed Calumet to pull within a point, 33-32.

Junttila hit a 3-pointer and Golus managed a pair of baskets, as the Copper Kings scored seven points.

Larson answered with a pair of baskets of his own, and Kinnunen and Whitaker went a combined 3-of-4 from the free throw line as the Jets also scored seven, and hold on for the win.

Kinnunen finished with 11 points for the Jets.

Loukus finished with 11 for the Copper Kings.

Up next

The Jets travel Wednesday to face the Westwood Patriots in a Division 3 District 65 semifinal matchup in Ishpeming.