DOLBAY — Monday night, it was a historic moment for Chassell Panthers boys basketball coach Joel Larson and his team. The new coach won his debut as a high school coach. The Panthers defeated Dollar Bay and the Tamarack City Blue Bolts 62-58 on enemy territory.
“It feels good.” Larson said with a smile. “But credit goes to the players who have worked so hard since we started. I’m so proud of them.”
Even if they lead by three points at halftime and win in the third quarter, their strength will be the difference in the fourth quarter.
The Panthers’ tall, lanky Calvin Quitta and Eli Danison dominated the boards and made free throws late in the contest.
“We knew size would be an issue.” Blue Bolts coach Jesse Kentara said. “But I could have boxed better and made better shot selections.”
At the end of the first quarter, both teams were tied at 13 points. Dollar Bay led 30-27 at the half and trailed by as many as eight points in the second half. They entered the fourth quarter with a 47-42 lead and held that lead until the end of the game.
With 3:02 left, the Panthers’ Mason Lucas hit one on the glass to give his team a 53-52 lead. But that was short-lived as Liam Tourtilott made a layup to put his team back on top at 54-53.
With less than a minute left, Chassel hit back-to-back threes to seal the Panthers’ victory. Trailing 55-53, Braden Larson hit his first triple, giving his team a one-point lead at 56-55. Oliver Campbell then sank a three-ball to make the score 59-55. Both teams continued to score, but Chassel ended up on top.
The Panthers had four players score in double figures. Mason Lucas was the leading scorer with 17 points. Danison sank 15, Brayden 11 and Oliver Campbell 10.
“Eli gets the game ball.” Joel said. “He gave it his all and left it all on the floor.”
The Panthers sank seven threes. Blue Bolt had six people.
Dollar Bay was led by Tourtillot with 27 points, followed by Caleb Kentara with 16 points and Will Beaudoin with 10 points.
“We’re young and this had all the trappings of the first game.” Jesse said. “I’m sure we’ll be fine and get better as the season progresses.”
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The Blue Bolts travel to Painsdale to take on Jeffers Jets on Thursday. That same night, the Panthers will play Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes at Lake Linden.