Superior Central basketball had a varsity boys and girls basketball sweep, defeating the Big Bay de Noc Black Bears twice on Friday, Feb. 3 in Eben Junction. The win increased the boys to a 5-9 record on the year and the girls to 9-4.
The games also served as the winter homecoming and parents appreciation night for both teams.
GIRLS: Big Bay 25 Superior Central 52 Both teams struggled against set defenses to start the contest, with Big Bay pushing a 2-3 zone that prohibited any meaningful possession near the basket, and Superior Central trying to use their speed in the fullcourt press. Baskets from Maddie Begovac and Alice Hancock started to get things moving for the home team, but the Black Bears were left scoreless after one.
“I definitely felt like it was a sloppy start to start the game and I didn’t feel our execution was there,” SC Head Coach Skip Rutter said.
Things improved for the SC offense, as the home team built up a 19-point lead going into the break. Up 26-7 at half, the Cougars continued to spread out Big Bay’s defense, creating opportunities down the lane. A strong offensive rebounding night for SC kept the buckets falling.
Defensively, SC kept Alix Bleau, Big Bay’s leading offensive producer, to zero points. It was the only time this season the senior had been shut out of a contest.
“Bleau was a big focus for us,” Rutter said. “A lot of the positive we had were on defense tonight and we held her the whole game. We might see them at districts, so we can’t overlook anything if we matchup again.”
Hancock led all scorers with 21 points, while both Sam Johnson and Maddie Begovac scored 11 each. Camryn Pederson led Big Bay with 12 points.
BOYS: Big Bay 44 Superior Central 45 The Big Bay de Noc Black Bears gave a furious push at the end of the fourth quarter, but the Superior Central Cougars were able to hold on to a 45-44 win. SC put forward a team effort once again to close out the contest. CJ Adams hit a clutch three-pointer with 52 seconds left in what would be the game-winning basket while Trent Rutter had big rebounds in the final minutes to give the home team the win.
“These are the fun ones,” SC Head Coach Adam Ely said. “This is the second game this season against them that ended in a one-possession game. It’s always scrappy against them and fun games to see.”
The Black Bears suffered another slow start, a problem that has plagued Big Bay all year. The visitors had more shots hit the rim multiple times and bounce out than they had points in the first quarter, only getting five points in the frame.
“We got to get off the bus,” BBdN Head Coach Gunnar Mickleson said. “Starting off stronger is something we’ve been working on and will continue to so we can stay in these games.”
On the Cougars’ offensive side of the ball, Rutter led all scorers with a strong game in the post. SC went to a smaller package after Jason Kanerva ran into foul trouble early in the second, so it was the junior forward leading the way on the glass for the home team. Rutter and Logan Frusti for SC against Black Bears Nick DesJarden and Joel Gillespie entertained the crowd all night in fighting for rebounds, but it was the Cougars that had the advantage on second-chance points.
Rutter led all scorers with 26 points, while Thill had 10 for the Black Bears.
The win gave the Cougars their fifth win of the season, the most under Ely as head coach. With their previous win against Mid Pen, it was the first time the Cougars won consecutive games since February 2018.
