BLUE BOLTS 74, GREMLINS 70, OT

DOLLAR BAY — With 13 points in overtime, the Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Blue Bolts boys basketball team earned a 74-70 victory at home over the Houghton Gremlins Monday night.

Liam Tourtilott led all scorers with 28 points, but it was a key 3-pointer he hit in overtime that set the stage for the win.

“Very fun high school basketball game in Dollar Bay tonight,” said Blue Bolts coach Jesse Kentala. “Liam Tourtillott hit a big 3-pointer late in overtime to tie the game, and Baron Colbert scored in transition to put (us) in the lead.

“A total team win early in the season against a quality opponent.”

The two teams came out hard and fast, and by the end of the opening quarter, the game was tied, 19-19. Tourtilott had a 3-pointer, and a pair of baskets to help get the hosts up to that 19-point total. However, Luke Hill, who led the Gremlins with 25 points, had a 3-pointer of his own and three other buckets in the opening quarter to answer.

From there, the Blue Bolts kept pushing and led 39-36 at the half. That advantage was pushed to 53-47 by the end of the third quarter.

However, in the fourth, Houghton’s defense held the Blue Bolts to just eight points, and Hill put up five points, including a key 3-pointer, as the Gremlins pulled even to force overtime. Mason Mayo also caught fire, getting a pair of baskets and adding one free throw as he scored five of his 12 points.

In bonus time, Hill hit a 3-pointer for Houghton, but that was all he got. Isaiah Lawson scored a basket and made a free throw for three of his 17 points in the game, but it was not enough to match Tourtilott’s key 3-pointer or Colbert’s basket in transition later.

“Huge confidence booster for us,” said Kentala. “I think it really is going to help with our practice intensity and commitment to each other and the team.”

Colbert finished with 17 points and Will Beaudoin added 12.

“Houghton is a good program, and a well-coached team,” Kentala said. “Very big win for us.”

UP NEXT

Dollar Bay is back in action on Thursday when they host Hancock. Houghton will also be in action Thursday when they host L’Anse.

L’ANSE 88, ONTONAGON 82, OT

L’ANSE — Despite 36 points from Jack Nelson, the Ontonagon Gladiators boys basketball team fell in overtime to the L’Anse Purple Hornets Monday night.

Nelson led all scorers.

Talan Larson led the Purple Hornets with 18.

“We have definitely improved from last season, and we are going to get better as we get more experience and build chemistry,” said Purple Hornets coach Robert Potter. “Two freshman guards are leading the way.

L’Anse is now 2-0 on the season with the win.

UP NEXT

L’Anse travels to face Houghton on Thursday. The Gladiators will host Wakefield-Marenisco on Thursday.

CALUMET 43, BESSEMER 35

BESSEMER — Micah Pieti scored 15 to help lead the Calumet Copper Kings boys basketball team to a 43-35 win over the Bessemer Speedboys Monday in Calumet.

Pieti scored seven of his game-high total in the fourth quarter as the Copper Kings pulled away for the win.

Gavin Sturos and Kent Koskela each had eight points for the Copper Kings as well.

Bessemer jumped out to the lead 13-10 after the first quarter. They extended their lead to 23-16 by halftime.

Calumet cut the lead down to two, 29-27, by the end of the third quarter thanks in part to four points from Koskela.

Leland Hollenbeck and Gus Mantrella led the Speedboys with 10 points each.

UP NEXT

The Copper Kings will host Jeffers on Thursday.