Eskymos Pound Sault Ste. Marie; Gladstone Next SAULT STE. MARIE---The Escanaba Eskymos jumped to an early lead and never let the Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils come close during Wednesday's district tournament contest. The Eskymos won, 73-37, to set up a district title rematch with Gladstone Friday night in Escanaba. Escanaba led, 18-2, after the first quarter as Mitch Van Effen had a monster start, especially on the defensive end, with four blocked shots. Everybody contributed something, and the Eskymos did not look like a team that had traveled three-plus hours on a bus. And they beat the Blue Devils to nearly every loose ball. The Eskymo led grew to 31-6 in the second quarter before the Blue Devils finally strung together a few points to cut the Escanaba lead to 35-17 at halftime. The Eskymos pounded the Blue Devils in the third quarter as well (26-7) to lead, 61-24 after three quarters of play. The game eventually went on a running clock at 71-30, and the Eskymos cruised through the final minutes to post the tournament win. Quinn Wakefield scored 16 points and Willie Meek added 13 to lead the Eskymos, who improved to 12-10 with the win. The Blue Devils finished 9-12. Pictured above: Eskymos Jake DeBrock (left) and Quinn Wakefield (right). Pictured below: the scoreboard doesn't lie, and the Esky and Soo captains meet with the referees. To read stories and see photos from earlier Eskymo games, click the "Esky Boys Stories/Photos" button on the left side of this page.

THE MIGHTY QUINN                               Escanaba senior Quinn Wakefield leans in for a lay-up during the third quarter of Monday's district tournament game against the Kingsford Flivvers. Wakefield tied a career-high by scoring 32 points as the Eskymos won their opener, 69-48. Wakefield's 32 Points Lead Eskymos Into 2nd Round ESCANABA---The first half of Monday night's district tournament opener was not pretty for the Escanaba Eskymos. They shot poorly, gave up looks at the other end, missed free throws, and were flat-footed. And as a result, the Orange and Black trailed the unheralded Kingsford Flivvers, 25-20, entering the dressing room. Travis Villeneuve (20) is but a blur as he drives on the baseline, pursued by Kingsford's Jeff Gregory (23) Monday night. >>>> Whatever Coach Tracy Hudson and his seniors said at halftime worked as the Eskymos bull-dozed the Flivvers in the third quarter en route to a 69-48 playoff victory. Escanaba scored 20 points in the first 3:04 of the third quarter, and put a total of 34 points on the board in that quarter. The 34-12 outburst was keyed by an aggressive defense that intercepted several Flivver passes at half court. On the offensive end, the Eskymos attacked the basket and the Flivvers had no answer for Wakefield. It looked a lot like the "we-can't-miss" first quarter the Eskymos had against Gladstone almost two weeks ago, but this time, it wasn't all about the three-point basket. This time, it was all about Wakefield, who scored 15 points in the quarter. And an unsung hero was Willie Meek, who scored all ten of his points and had three steals in that period. Once the dust settled on that quarter, Escanaba had turned a 25-20 deficit into a 54-39 lead. The fourth quarter was played on cruise control. Wakefield ended up with 32 points, which matches his career-high set in the first game of this season against Negaunee. Dylan Tengesdahl led Kingsford with 17 points. The Flivvers finished their season at 7-14. Escanaba (11-10) is hoping to repeat last year's Cinderella run that led to a district championship. To be able to host the district championship game on Friday, the boys will have to win on the road in the semifinals this Wednesday against the Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils, who are 9-11. Escanaba beat Sault Ste. Marie, 77-46, in their only meeting this year.                 Left photo: Eskymo senior Quinn Wakefield drives to the basket. Right photo: Escanaba's Jake DeBrock looks to make a pass against Kingsford's Zack Swanson.                         Escanaba's student section was cheering loudly in Monday night's playoff game.                         Eskymo Coach Tracy Hudson and the boys huddle up during a Kingsford time-out.

HEARTBREAKING LOSS                     Escanaba senior Mitch Van Effen goes to the floor to earn a jump ball during the second half of Friday night's game against Gladstone. The Eskymos had a hot start and then led again in the fourth quarter, but lost, 68-65. (Cody Frazer photo) Eskymos Lose Eight-Point Lead in Final 4:10 ESCANABA---For a while there, it looked just like last spring's district championship victory for the Escanaba Eskymos basketball team. The Eskymos were on fire, all of them, as Friday's game with the Gladstone Braves began. The crowd was rocking, and the Eskymos scored 32 points in the first quarter. But unlike last year's game that began with a 23-1 lead and ended in a big-time rout, this time, the Eskymos couldn't hang on and suffered a tough loss, 68-65. Gladstone junior Paul Tomaszewski, starting for the first time in his career, torched the Eskymos for six three-point baskets, including what turned out to be the game-winner with 30.1 seconds to play. Braves senior Johnny Cretens added five three's, giving the visitors 11 bombs. It was a high-energy same that saw numerous twists and turns. The Eskymos came out on fire, nailing 12 of their first 13 field goals. Tyler Englund sank two three-pointers. Quinn Wakefield had eight first quarter points. Trent Schwalbach swished two three's. Jake DeBrock came off the bench for a pair of hoops. Mitch Van Effen had four points. Everything was going Escanaba's way, to the tune of 32 first quarter points. The Braves also played well in the quarter, getting 19 points as Cretens nailed three three's and Tomaszewski hit two. In the second quarter, things settled down a bit and the Eskymos scored only seven points. The Braves got 18, as Tomaszewski got two more bombs and Cretens scored eight more points. Both Tomaszewski and Cretens had four three-pointers at the break. Esky led just 39-37. The Braves started the second half by going on a 9-0 run, with Kent King getting three baskets from in close. <<<The Eskymo student section was rocking early. Gladstone had a 46-39 lead with 4:23 left in the third quarter, having outscored Escanaba, 27-7, since the first quarter run. But the Eskymos did not give up. A 9-2 spurt that included three Braves turnovers allowed Escanaba to tie the game at 48-48 after three quarters. Then Wakefield got cooking in the first three minutes of the final quarter, scoring four straight baskets to put the Eskymos into the lead. Back-to-back three-pointers by Willie Meek and Englund gave Escanaba a 62-54 lead with 4:10 left in the game. Hongisto called a time out, his team having been outscored, 23-8 since the middle of the third period. Kollin Jensen, playing with a large bandage on his chin after being hurt in a second quarter collission under the basket, scored four straight free throws on the next two trips. Then Tomaszewski lined up another three pointer, nothing-but-net, to cut Escanaba's lead to 62-61 with 2:14 left. After Englund made one free throw for the Eskymos, Jensen made an improbable baseline shot from underneath the basket with two guys on him, tying the game at 63 with 1:18 left. But Trent Schwalbach came back with a pair of free throws for Escanaba, putting the home team in front by two, setting up Tomaszewski for his big basket with 30.1 left in the game. Ah, but Escanaba still was not done. First, Englund's shot hit the front of the rim. Then VanEffen lunged for an incredible rebound, and passed to Schwalbach, who missed a long three-pointer. But VanEffen got another rebound on the sideline, got it to Wakefield, and Wakefield missed from underneath the basket. Whew. Two seconds left. Seronko fouled. Seronko made two clutch free throws to make it 68-65, then the Eskymos had one final chance. Englund's long pass up the middle was deflected by Sam Ballard. A three by Schwalbach from the corner was no good. Game over. Battle over. Gladstone wins, 68-65. (You can hear replays of threes by Meek and Englund, and the final 30 seconds of the game, by clicking the 'ESKYMOS LOSE TO GLADSTONE' button on the left side of this page) Wakefield led the Eskymos with 19 points, while Englund scored 13 (on four three's and a free throw) and Meek chipped in 11 points. Schwalbach scored 10 points. Escanaba had seven three-pointers.                     Escanaba's Tyler Englund has the ball as Gladstone's Paul Tomaszewski (14) and Kollin Jensen (20) play defense. Below: Escanaba's Mitch Van Effen (40) goes up for a layup against Gladstone's Johnny Cretens (22). (Cody Frazer photos)

Eskymos Fall To West DePere In Overtime The Escanaba Eskymos led for most of the game Friday night, but could not hit the big basket down the stretch, and lost to the West De Pere (Wis.) Phantoms, 58-53, in overtime. Quinn Wakefield scored 23 points to lead the Eskymos (7-6). Tanner Hackl had 23 points for West DePere (7-8).   Pictured At left: Escanaba's Trent Schwalbach nails a three-pointer as teammates Quinn Wakefield (24) and Tyler Englund (12) watch from under the basket.                 Left photo: Eskymo senior Tyler Englund dribbles up-court. Right photo: Quinn Wakefield shoots just in time as West DePere's Tanner Hackl jumps at him. Both Wakefield and Hackl scored 23 points, but the Phantoms won the game in overtime.

Escanaba Boys Break Losing Streak, 77-46 The Escanaba High School boys basketball team outscored Sault Ste. Marie 21-4 in the third quarter and cruised to a 77-46 win over the Blue Devils Saturday in Escanaba. The win snapped a five game losing streak for the Eskymos (5-5). Quinn Wakefield scored 17 points, Tyler Englund added 11, and Trent Schwalbach chipped in with ten points. Jim Walton had 13 for Soo (3-6). Pictured: Coach Tracy Hudson diagrams a play during a timeout.

Eskymos Drop Fifth Straight Game The Escanaba Eskymos lost their fifth straight game Monday, falling to the Menominee Maroons, 79-58, at the EHS Gym. Menominee dominated the first half, racing out to a 43-19 lead as the Eskymos could not shoot the ball. Esky scored 20 points in the third and 19 in the fourth, but it was too late. Sam Larson scored 27 points to lead the Maroons, while Esky's Willy Meek had a career-high 18 points. The Maroons also won the freshman (64-29), and JV (60-46) contests. Pictured: Larson (24) and Meek (4) go up for a rebound during the first half of Monday's game.                     Left photo: Menominee's Keefer Connery (4) and Travis Villeneuve (20) jump for a rebound during Monday night's game. Right photo: Eskymo senior Quinn Wakefield (24) goes up for a shot in the paint as Trent Schwalbach (34) and Cully Fulkenberg (30) wait.

A 4-0 Start: Esky Stops Houghton, 42-29 Escanaba junior Trent Schwalbach goes up for a basket in the paint during Monday night's game against Houghton. Both teams had a hard time getting into an offensive rhythm as 45 fouls were called on the two teams. Houghton made just seven baskets in the game. Quinn Wakefield scored 14 points to lead Escanaba (4-0). Schwalbach chipped in with ten points. Matt Strong had 13 points to lead the Gremlins (0-1). Escanaba visits Gladstone Friday.                     Left: Houghton's Mike Carroll (12) grabs the rebound away from Escanaba's Tyler Englund during Monday's game. Right: Escanaba's Jake DeBrock (32) goes airborne. Below: Kids from Lemmer Elementary school battle the Gladstone boys during halftime on Monday.

Eskymos Slip Past Big Bay deNoc, 58-41                       Escanaba senior Quinn Wakefield goes strong to the basket as Big Bay's Kyle Reidenga (25) and Colin Harbenski (23) guard him. Wakefield scored 17 points and Jake DeBrock added 14 to lead the Eskymos to a 58-41 win over the Black Bears Saturday afternoon.                       Eskymo senior guard Tyler Englund directs the offense as Dylan Ranguette (4) watches.                     Big Bay deNoc's Matt Cyrowski (14) boxes out during Saturday's game in Escanaba.                               Escanaba's Quinn Wakefield blocks a shot during Saturday afternoon's victory.                       Boys from Holy Name and Gladstone Elementary Schools play at halftime on Saturday.