Munising Baptist welcomed in Grand Marais for both teams’ basketball season openers on Dec. 9. The host Bobcats were able to overtake the Polar Bears, earning the Northern Lights League win, 88-34.

“We got our season started off on a good foot when we played against a fairly young Grand Marais squad,” Munising Baptist head coach Paul Johns said. “We were able to use early pressure from our guards to force turnovers, which resulted in transition baskets and an early lead. We were able to coast in the second half and get the bench players plenty of playing time that will hopefully help going forward this season.”

The Bobcats got things going right away, outscoring the Polar Bears 27-6. Dylan Swift hit for 10 points in that frame, and Ethan Swift scored eight to help them roll early.

Dylan Swift netted eight more points in the second, and it was a 39-22 lead at the half. Grand Marais did have their second quarter highlighted by Gabe Lawrence and Ethan Brauer hitting 3-pointers.

The scoring barrage continued in the third for Munising Baptist as Dylan Swift hit a 3 and had 13 points in the frame. Steve Norton drilled a 3 in the quarter as well, and it was 66-27 entering the fourth.

Every player scored for the Bobcats, led by Dylan Swift, who had 33 points, and Norton, who tallied 13. Ethan Swift and Ian Cross scored 10 points apiece; Jonny MacArthur netted nine; Steve Norton hit a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter as part of his five points; Gabe Heyrman netted four points; and Tom Norton and Remy South-Olson had two points apiece.

For the Polar Bears, Brauer finished with 17 points, Lawrence netted nine and Nathan Irvine chipped in with eight.

Munising Baptist hosted Big Bay de Noc on Monday and will return to play on Jan. 7 at home against Ojibwe Charter School.

Grand Marais will play again on Jan. 2 at Ojibwe.