Calumet’s Conner Hermanson lines up a free throw late in a game against Dollar Bay-Tamarack City on Monday in Dollar Bay. Tyler Black stands behind Hermanson at half court. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)
DOLLAR BAY — The Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Blue Bolts 48-41 win over the Calumet Copper Kings boys basketball team on the home court Monday was more characteristic of a controlled burn, as opposed to a lightning flash. In short, the Blue Bolts controlled the ball from the opening basket to the final buzzer against a team that clearly outsized them.
“Calumet is a strong team, and we needed strength,” said Dollar Bay coach Jesse Kentala. “They have big football guys, and we don’t. So, this is a quality win for us, and I am proud of the guys for keeping their composure and handling pressure.”
He credited his Blue Bolts (8-8) for moving the ball well and hitting their shots at some crucial moments. A number of those crucial moments were three pointers which created momentum, putting space between them and the Copper Kings (9-8).
Amos Norland had just one of those three balls, but led the scoring for Dollar Bay with 19 points. That is the way it should be, according to Kentala.
“We need Amos on both ends of the court, but we really need him offensively, and tonight he was,” said Kentala. “He came at the basket strong.”
It was a 27-17 Blue Bolts’ lead at half.
“Our downfall tonight was that we came out flat and were slow in our offensive attack,” said Calumet coach Frank Bonacorsi. “We did a better job in the latter periods, but it was too late. We had already dug too deep of a hole to climb out of.”
A tough Chase Benson and Norland under the hoop for the Blue Bolts in the third and fourth did not help the Copper Kings.
“They took away their (Calumet) big guys and neutralized them,” said Kentela. “It all added up to a complete game for us.”
Joining Norland in double figures for the Blue Bolts was Liam Tourtillott with 11.
For the Copper Kings, Levi Kilpela led the scoring with 12 points.
The Blue Bolts will travel to Hancock tonight to face the Bulldogs. Calumet will play Westwood on Thursday, Feb. 16, at home.
CAL – Tarvis 5, Bjorn 4, Hermanson 5, Black 6, Nelson 6, Brooks 3
DBTC – Kentala 9, Norland 19, Gaunt 3, Tourtillot 11, Benson 6.
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