“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg Daily Press Manistique senior Carsyn Hinksin (14) drives to hole past Iron Mountain junior Oscar Kangas (0) on Jan. 18, 2024 at Iron Mountain High School.

IRON MOUNTAIN–Despite a valiant effort, Manistique boys basketball suffered a 72-36 road loss to No. 1 Iron Mountain on Thursday.

The Emeralds are now 3-7 on the season.

“We did some good things. Some good things we can build off of,” Manistique coach Cody Kangas said. “But it seems like every time we play a really good team like Iron Mountain or Negaunee… they go on a little run and we just can’t battle back from it. Some mistakes here and there, but it’s something we can build on.”

Manistique kept pace with the Mountaineers (11-0), who were two days removed from an exhilarating 48-47 win over No. 2 Kingsford. Emeralds senior Landen Dougherty got the offense going to keep the visitors within one possession. A successful and-1 3-point play by Iron Mountain junior Oscar Kangas started a 7-0 run for the home team.

Dougherty came through with another layup to pull the green and white to within six points. With the deficit pushed to nine, senior Kyle Flodin connected with a shot from beyond the arc to cut the deficit to 15-9. Senior Parker Graphos connected with a jump shot and Flodin added a free throw to score six of the frame’s final 10 points and stay within seven points at 19-12 after the first quarter.

Graphos split a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to 19-13. Then the Mountaineers woke up.

While Seniors Michael Bouche and Wyatt Demers connected in the paint and free throws by junior DJ Bellville provided points on the scoreboard, it wasn’t enough to keep pace with the No. 1 team in the U.P. The Mounatineers outscored the Emeralds 21-7 in the second quarter for a 40-19 lead at the half.

“Manistique is improved,” Iron Mountain coach Harvey “Bucky” Johnson said. “They’re scrappy. They play hard. They’re pretty well coached.”

The Emeralds host Pickford at 7 p.m. on Jan. 23 Negaunee at 7:15 p.m. on Jan. 26.

Box Score

Manistique 12 7 9 8 –36

Iron Mountain 19 21 21 12 –72

Manistique: Graphos 7, Demers 7, Dougherty 6, Flodin 6, Bellville 4, Bouche 4, Hinkson 2; FT: 6-8; Fouls: 19; Fouled Out: mason; 3-pointers: Demers 1, Flodin 1

Iron Mountain: O. Kangas 18, Martilla 13, R. Kangas 11, Sampoll Torres 9, Sheldon 7, Copley 6, Colavecchi 3, Kassin 3, Ellis 2; FT: 15-20; Fouls: 13; Fouled Out: none; 3-pointers: R. Kangas 3, Martilla 3, Sampoll Torres 1, Sheldon 1; Kassin 1