Big Bay de Noc junior Parker Pederson poses for a photo with family after passing the 1,000 point milestone on Dec. 16, 2025 at Mid Peninsula School.

ST. NICHOLAS — Big Bay de Noc junior Parker Pederson achieved a major milestone here Tuesday night.

It was Rock Mid Peninsula which earned its first victory this season, however, by rolling past the Black Bears 71-40 in a Central U.P. Conference match-up here Tuesday night.

“We knew we had the capability,” Mid Pen coach Carl Brunngraeber said. “We just hadn’t settled down enough yet. We talked to the guys about playing man-to-man and help defense and the communication was real good tonight. Tonight’s defensive effort is the best we’ve had all year. Hopefully, this will carry over.

Pederson joined the 1,000-point club by scoring 18 points, running his career total to 1,001.

He got his 1,000th on the first of two free throws with 2:52 remaining in the game, stopping the action long enough to receive his due. He was presented a blanket commemorating the event and got a warm round of applause in appreciation from the crowd.

“Parker’s going to get his points because he’s the real deal,” Brunngraeber said. “He’s one of the premier players in the area.”

The Wolverines wasted little time taking charge, gaining a 19-9 lead on freshman Clay Peterson’s 22-foot jump shot from the right wing late in the first quarter.

Big Bay shaved its deficit to 19-13 on a putback by Pederson slightly more than a minute into the second stanza.

Sophomore Tanner Pederson sank a pair of free throws to keep the score within reason at 27-16 with 4:48 remaining in the second.

Mid Pen then broke the game open, outscoring the Black Bears 14-5 during the remainder of the second which reached 41-21 on a three-foot jumper by junior Jaykob Dahm 24 seconds before halftime.

The Wolverines opened the third quarter with a 11-1 run for a 52-22 cushion midway through the frame.

Big Bay shaved its deficit to 54-26 on a lay-in by Tanner Pederson on a pass from Parker Pederson.

Mid Pen’s advantage reached 60-26 early in the fourth before Big Bay answered with an 8-0 run to trim its deficit to 60-34.

Both teams struggled from the free throw line. Big Bay hit 12-of-28 and Mid Pen finished 3-of-9.

The Wolverines committed 21 turnovers and the Black Bears had 15.

Sophomore Lewis Holmes led Mid Pen with 19 points. Dahm contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds. Peterson and sophomore Christian VanDamme finished with 11 points apiece.

“We shot well tonight,” coach Brunngraber said. “We shot 44 percent from the floor. We got a lot of layups, but hit 8-of-20 from 3-point range. We had been averaging 25 percent overall and 17 percent on 3-pointers.”

Lotz added nine points for Big Bay, which hosts Hannahville tonight at 6:30.

Mid Pen, which traveled to Engadine Wednesday night, visits Mackinac Island Friday at 1 p.m.

Big Bay de Noc 9 12 5 14 — 40

Mid Peninsula 19 21 16 14 — 71

Big Bay de Noc — Lotz 9, Cooper 1, P. Pederson 18, T. Pederson 6, Morris 3, Rochefer 3. FT: 12-28; F: 14; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goal: Rocherfer.

Rock Mid Peninsula — Cyler Brunngraeber 5, Dahm 12, Roberts 4, Peterson 11, S. Holmes 4, VanDamme 11, L. Holmes 19. FT: 3-9; F: 20; Fouled out: S. Holmes; 3-point field goals: Peterson 3, VanDamme 3, Cyler Brunngraeber, L. Holmes.