Back on Feb. 1, the Superior Central boys basketball team lost a close home game against Big Bay. The Cougars were able to get their revenge on Tuesday, Feb. 14, going on the road to claim a 40-37 victory that came down to the wire.

“We are really happy to win both at Hannahville and at Big Bay (on back-toback nights) after dropping a couple,” head coach Adam Ely said. “Big Bay has kind of turned into a rivalry these last couple years. We have a healthy respect for them and think highly of that team. They got us a couple weeks ago at our place so we feel good about coming to theirs and winning.”

S-C had four points each by Trent Rutter and Jason Kanerva, and things were deadlocked 12-12 after one. In the second, four points by Logan Frusti and a three pointer each by Ryder Kroupa, Rutter and Kanerva helped stake S-C to a 27-18 lead at the half.

A three by Blake Tanner in the third help push the Cougars to a 35-27 lead entering the fourth. Superior Central only had five points in the final frame. Frusti had three of those, including going one-of-two at the line. Zander Bigger hit both of his free throws. This turned out to be just enough, as Rutter blocked a three point attempt late in the game to allow S-C to escape town with the win.

The Cougars were led by Rutter with 10 points, Frusti put in nine, scoring seven each was Kroupa and Kanerva, Bigger added four and with three was Tanner.

Parker Pederson led the Black Bears with 10 points and Braedon Thill netted eight.

S-C (15-6 overall) heads to Baraga today (Friday) to wrap up the regular season. They’ll host a Division 4 district semi-final game on Wednesday, against the winner of Monday’s game between Rock Mid-Pen and Careny-Nadeau.