Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Devils' first quarter dooms Midgets

IRONWOOD - Ironwood's 18-4 first-quarter lead quickly extinguished any upset hopes Hurley came into the rivalry game with as the Red Devils went on to win 48-21 Thursday night.

The Red Devils scored the Indianhead Conference game's first 13 points in front of a large crowd at John Krznarich Gym.

"It was very important; I thought we came out of the gates firing on all cylinders," Ironwood coach Pete Lewinski said. "That really helped us, gave us confidence. Hurley's a hungry team because they're still searching for their first win, so it was important to make that fast start."

Hurley coach Mike Swartz said the Midgets played too fast, turned it over and were rattled in the first quarter, something that has cost them in other games this year.

"It was really critical, even coach (Steve) Lombardo and I were talking about that we get off to a good start, but it just didn't happen and we dug ourselves a big hole and we just kind of rolled over. I just wish we had a little more fight tonight," Swartz said.

Hurley reigned in Ironwood's scoring after the first quarter, giving up an average of 10 points a quarter after that. But the Red Devils didn't give Hurley anything on the offensive end with an eight-point second quarter the Midgets' most productive of the game.

"I thought our defense tonight was outstanding, especially the interior," Lewinski said. "We made their bigs work, (James) Sukanen, (Tandrell) Foster, (Chris) Rye."

Ironwood struggled at times on the offensive end, Lewinski said.

"I thought Hurley played hard on D; they made us work for our shots," he said. "We're going to have to play tough defense and pick our spots offensively this year."

Matt Dary's jumper started the scoring, Jacob DiGiorgio scored the next five, Dary had a putback and Colin Clausen added four more after that. Only Dary's shot and a DiGiorgio free throw didn't come from a shot right at the basket.

James Sukanen broke the Hurley scoring drought with 2:04 left in the quarter, but Denver Sharrow hit a 3-pointer and Dary made two free throws to expand the lead to 18-2.

Ironwood found energy from playing its rivals across the border.

"I think it was just the idea of playing our rivals, Hurley," Lewinski said. "Like I tell everybody, throw out the records when we play Hurley and Ironwood, Ironwood and Bessemer, Ironwood-Wakefield. It's a rivalry game, the kids know each other and both squads want to win."

Sharrow led Ironwood with 15 points, all on five 3-pointers. DiGiorgio scored nine.

"It was a total team victory," Lewinski said. "Our three bigs, DiGiorgio, (Jared) Sobolewski, Dary, had big games along with Denver Sharrow - shot the ball well. Colin Clausen showed flashes of brillance; he's very athletic, but he injured his wrist. Hopefully he's OK. We're still waiting to see what his injury is."

Sukanen led Hurley with 10 points.

Ironwood (2-0) goes to Ontonagon Monday. Hurley (0-4) hosts Ewen-Trout Creek Tuesday.

Hurley - Luke Marczak 6, Kohl Manzanares 3, Tandrell Foster 2, James Sukanen 10. FTs: 7-11. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None. 3-pointers: Marczak 1, Manzanares 1.

Ironwood - Denver Sharrow 15, Luke Hewitt 4, Colin Clausen 5, Jacob DiGiorgio 9, Brett Ossanna 3, Jared Sobolewski 4, Matt Dary 8. FTs: 8-14. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. 3-pointers: Sharrow 5, Ossanna 1.

Ironwood 18 30 38 48

Hurley 4 12 15 21

 
 
Rendered 03/28/2024 17:08