Cougars control second half to clip Big Bay
EBEN — The Superior Central boys used a strong second half Monday night to post a 53-41 season-opening basketball victory over the Big Bay de Noc Black Bears.
Big Bay led 23-20 at halftime. The Cougars, however, led 37-30 after the third quarter of the Skyline Central Conference contest.
“We were stale in the first half,” said Cougars’ coach Matt Rondeau. “Our half-court offense worked, but we just shot horrible. We started running the floor and passing the ball well in the third quarter. We told the kids possessions are precious. We were turning the ball over a lot in the first half.”
Beau Rondeau and Wade Krysiak led the Cougars with 15 points each. Krysiak hit 11 points and Rondeau seven in the second half.
“Ryan Kleven, our jayvee coach and varsity assistant, is very defensive minded,” said coach Rondeau. “This is his first year and I’m exremely impressed with him. His input really helped us in the second half.”
Nathan Chandler paced the Black Bears with 13 points. During the contest, Big Bay’s Bryce Clark was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Black Bears, who won the jayvee contest 58-56, host Forest Park Thursday. The Cougars are idle until Dec. 16 when they host Engadine.
Big Bay de Noc 8 15 7 11 — 41
Superior Central 13 7 17 16 — 53
Big Bay de Noc — T. Johnson 9, Chandler 13, E. Johnson 8, Carlson 6, Ray 3, Reardon 2. FT: 9-14; F: 9; Fouled out: T. Johnson; Technical fouls : E. Johnon, Clark; 3-point field goals: Chandler, Ray.
Superior Central — Rondeau 15, Krysiak 15, Leppanen 9, Heinonen 7, Charlebois 3, Heminger 2. FT: 6-13; F: 18; Fouled out: Charlebois; 3-point field goals: Rondeau 2, Krysiak, Heinonen, Leppanen.