After dropping three straight games entering Monday’s home game with Hannahville Nah Tah Wahsh, Superior Central head coach Adam Ely just wanted a win. The Cougars delivered that, as they used a strong fourth quarter to turn what had been a close game into a 44-35 victory.
“(We are) happy to get a win against a good team to right the ship after losing three,” Ely said.
Trent Rutter helped the Cougars get off to a good start. He hit a three pointer in the first quarter and netted eight points in the quarter. Zander Bigger also had four points in the frame and S-C held a 13-9 lead after one.
In the second, Bigger netted four more points and three others dropped in field-goals, though their lead was just 2321 at the half.
Rutter hit another three and had seven more points in the third, but things were still close entering the fourth, with a 34-31 S-C lead.
The Cougars made four free throws in the final quarter to help finish off the win; Rutter, Bigger and Logan Frusti also had field-goals in the frame.
Rutter was able to lead the team with 22 points, Bigger hit double digits too with 10 points, Frusti finished with five, Ryder Kroupa scored three, Jason Kanerva had two and adding one was CJAdams.
On Friday, S-C lost to 13th ranked Crystal Falls Forest Park at home, 69-15.
“They are just a buzzsaw,” Ely said.
The Cougars had Rutter score seven points in this one, Blake Tanner added five and chipping in with three was Bigger.
On Tuesday, Feb. 6, S-C lost a road game at Rapid River, 45-35.
“We were pretty let down to go into Rapid River and play soft,” Ely said. “We couldn’t rebound all night.”
Things started off well for the Cougars. They got two first quarter threes by Adams and one each from Frusti and Rutter, and they led 16-12 after one. Rutter also had a three in a low-scoring second quarter, and they still led at the break, 22-19. They carried a 30-22 entering the fourth, where Rapid River broke loose, getting four three pointers on their way to a come-from-behind-win.
The Cougars had another solid game from Rutter, who netted 18 points. Adams put in eight points, Frusti added three and with two each was Tanner, Bigger and Kanerva.
S-C (14-6 overall) had a contest at Big Bay on Wednesday and wraps up the regular season on Feb. 23 at Baraga.
