Escanaba, MI – March 15, 2021 – The Negaunee Miners Boys Basketball team was defeated by the Escanaba Eskymos 56-35. Jesse Anderson had the call on Sunny 101.9.

1st Quarter
Early on in the first quarter, it seemed like the Eskymos were going to run away with it. Escanaba went on an early 7-0 run, which was helped with the success of their half-court trap defense. Escanaba even got a huge momentum boost with 2 straight dunks by Colin Hudson. However, the Negaunee Miners’ defense mostly stood strong, and they were able to stay in the game. The Eskymos led after the first quarter 8-15.
2nd quarter

The start of the second quarter was competitive. Neither team could get on a significant run, and the baskets from Colin and Carter Hudson of Escanaba were being matched by Eli Luokkala and Gerald Johnson of Negaunee. The Miners continued to stay in the game, and they even made a bit of a dent in the deficit. It looked like the Miners could make a comeback, but then Escanaba scored eight quick unanswered points, included two straight threes by Jared Hanson. Escanaba would keep extending their lead to go up 32-16 at halftime.
3rd quarter
Although the Miners were down by 16 points at halftime against a great defensive team, Negaunee started to make a solid comeback early in the third. This effort was led by Eli Luokkala, who had six points in the start of the quarter. The Miners got the deficit back to single digits, but Luokkala picked up two quick fouls. This gave him four fouls total and forced him back onto the bench. This was a setback for the Miners, but their defense
stopped Escanaba from going on any big runs. The Eskymos took a 39-27 lead into the final quarter.
4th quarter

The fourth quarter was impressive for Escanaba, as they were able to quickly put the Miners away by going on a 12-3 run to start the quarter. The Miners struggled against the Eskymos’ defense, which switched back and forth between man defense and a half-court trap throughout the game. The Eskymos also had a few dunks in the final quarter that gave them a momentum boost. At the same time, Luokkala fouled out midway through the quarter, and Negaunee was unable to put up any points afterwards. The Eskymos defeated the Miners comfortably 56-35. The Eskymos were led by the Hudson brothers, who combined for an incredible 30 points. Negaunee was led by a trio of Eli Luokkala, Will Luke, and Gerald Johnson, who combined for 33 of Negaunee’s 35 points.
Final: 56-35
NEXT GAME: March 19th at 7:30pm in Negaunee as part of a boys and girls doubleheader against the Westwood Patriots. Tune into the Elder Agency Pregame Show on Sunny 101.9 with Jesse Anderson.