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EBEN -- A Division 4 boys' district basketball opener went Superior Central's way here Tuesday night in a 57-18 triumph over the Big Bay de Noc Black Bears.
"This is the first district victory for our seniors, and they're pretty happy about that," said Cougars' coach Adam Ely. "A district win is a pretty big deal here. We haven't had one in a while. Once you win one, anything can happen."
This marked the first time in eight years the Cougars (4-13) advanced in the post-season. They host second-ranked Munising (14-1) Thursday at 7 p.m. The Black Bears finished 1-9.
Superior Central led 13-6 after the first quarter and extended its lead to 27-10 on a 15-foot set shot by senior Kyle Frusti with 30 seconds left in the second stanza.
Frusti then opened the third stanza with a jump shot from inside the free throw line for a 19-point cushion.
The Cougars extended their advantage to 47-14 after the third frame and 55-15 following a layup by junior Zach Frusti midway through the fourth.
"Our effort is misplaced," said Big Bay coach Brad McPhee. "We go 100 percent about 70 percent of the time. There's something missing with this group which only time and maturity can correct. They get a little bit of pressure, and they get scared. We're a very young and inexperienced team, and we don't have numbers. We told the guys if they don't like the feeling of tonight, they have to change it."
Big Bay trailed 9-4 with two minutes, 24 seconds left in the opening frame on a layup by senior Travis Johnson.
Zach Frusti then hit a layup, and Kyle Frusti followed with a steal and layup for a 13-4 with 1:38 remaining in the first.
Big Bay got within 13-6 on an eight-foot set shot by junior Angus McPhee with five seconds left in the first.
The Cougars went on a 10-2 run to begin the second, gaining a 23-8 advantage on a pair of gifters by Zach Frusti at 3:28.
Kyle Frusti, a St. Norbert College football recruit, scored 24 points, and Zach Frusti added 14 for the Cougars, who committed 16 turnovers.
"For the most part, we were pretty patient against their zone," said Ely. "We were able to go side to side, and some of the guys were able to get open.
"I know Kyle is going to college to play football, but it looks like he could also be a pretty decent basketball player."
Superior Central junior Parker Maki sustained a knee injury as the first half ended and sat out the second.
Johnson led the Black Bears with 11, including a putback for the game's first points.
They had 23 miscues.
Big Bay de Noc 6 4 4 4 -- 18
Superior Central 13 14 20 10 -- 57
Big Bay de Noc -- Thill 2, Johnson 11, McPhee 2, Gillespie 3. FT: 4-10; F: 12; Fouled out: None.
Superior Central -- Maki 5, McLaury 5, K. Frusti 24, Z. Frusti 14, Collier 8, L. Frusti 2, Koski 2. FT: 4-6; F: 14; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goal: Maki.