DE PERE, Wis. — The Escanaba Eskymos boys basketball team (6-3) lost 86-47 Saturday against the number two-ranked team in Wisconsin, the De Pere West Phantoms, in De Pere.

“They basically jumped on us pretty good,” said Escanaba coach Tracy Hudson. “We got down 22-4, and it’s kind of been a problem the last two games where we haven’t gotten off to a good start. But, (West De Pere) is a very talented team.”

Hudson added the contest was a good test for the Eskymos to help prepare them for the stretch run from here into the postseason.

“I told the kids … one, we have to get off to a better start, two, we’re a lot better than we showed, and three, this is going to make us better.

“We struggled, but they’re a very, very talented team. A team that some may think may have a chance to win the (Wisconsin) state title in Division 1.”

The Eskymos were led in scoring by Collin Hudson, who put up 14 in the game. Jared Hanson — who collected a team-leading seven rebounds — also put up 10 for Esky.

While he was hesitant to use any reasons as excuses for the loss, coach Hudson did note the continued absence of Trevor Brown — who he lauded as the team’s best rebounder — as a factor that certainly did not help the Eskymos in the game.

With the Phantoms in the rearview mirror, coach Hudson and the team now turn their attention to bettering themselves over the next six weeks or so heading into districts.

“It was just kind of a reality check to see where we are at compared to the top teams,” coach Hudson commented. “I thought it was the equivalent of playing a Grand Rapids Catholic Central. That’s kind of what it was.

“It lets the kids know where they’re at. We have a month and a half to get better, and our goal is to compete for a district title and to try to make noise in our conference. We just haven’t played a lot of games lately, and we haven’t been healthy. But, we’re excited about next week.”

The Eskymos — who lost both the JV and freshman games against De Pere as well — jump back into GNC play Feb. 1 against the Menominee Maroons and Feb. 4 against the Kingsford Flivvers. Escanaba hosts both of those games.

Escanaba 17 30 — 47

West De Pere 46 40 — 86

Escanaba — Smale 6, Bray 4, Howes 3, Hudson 14, Morhouse 2,Weaver 1, Hanson 10, Brown 6, Willette 1; FT: 12-15; Fouled out: none; 3-point field goals: Hudson 3, Hanson 2, Brown 2.

West De Pere — John Kizniger 17, Zach Kinziger 8, Demovasky 12, Hohol 4, Gehin 2, Hornseth 22, Ramos 2, Willihnganz 7, Jorgensen 11; FT: 11-13;Fouled out: none, 3-point field goals: J. Kinziger 3, Z. Kinziger 2, Willihnganz 1, Jorgensen 1