Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette Calumet’s Kent Koskela puts up a free throw on Thursday in a game against the Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes in Lake Linden.

LAKE LINDEN – The regular season wrapped up for the Calumet Copper Kings and Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes boys’ basketball teams on Thursday. The Copper Kings had the final say with a well-played 62-37 win. With the victory, the Calumet squad ended the year at 12-9 and the Lakes finished at 2-20.

Calumet coach Frank Bonacorsi was very pleased with the effort.

“The kids came out with a bunch of intensity,” he said. “They made their shots, and that set the tone.”

Three triples by the Copper Kings put them up 9-6 in the opening minutes of the game, and they did not slow down. They moved on to an 21-10 lead after one.

The second was much the same. The Copper Kings’ strong defense forced quite a few turnovers and seniority dominated under the glass in the rebound department on both ends. While the Lakes were getting one shot off and no second chances, the Copper Kings were positioning themselves for second and third chances for points under the boards. That led to a 34-17 Calumet lead at half.

“The game ball goes to the seniors,” added Bonacorsi. They have done a great job for us all year, and I am very proud of them. It was a great way to end the season.”

He added that he wanted the squad to keep up the intensity in the second half, and they heeded his call. They moved the ball well and continued a strong defensive front. They outscored the Lakes 15-14 in the third and 13-6 in the final eight minutes for the win.

Leading the scoring the Copper Kings was Gavin Sturos with 24 points. Trent Halonen had 11 and Micah Pieti sunk 10.

Josh Daavettila was the Lakes leading scorer with 16.

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The Copper Kings will face the West Iron County Wykons in district play on Monday.