Granite boys, girls sweep Alberton

PHILIPSBURG – When Granite hosted Alberton Friday night, it was a matchup of two teams trying to find their identity. The 2-5 Prospectors were coming off a big win over Drummond the previous week while the 1-5 Panthers were in the midst of a four-game losing streak.

In the end, it was Granite that prevailed with a 58-26 victo9ry that elevated them to 3-5 with the postseason tournament just two weeks away.

“It’s been hard to figure out the strength of teams this year,” said GHS Head Coach Paul Kulaski. “I was juts looking for us to keep up the intensity after our big win last week against Drummond. I just wanted to carry that momentum forward with intensity and drive and be fast. We did that tonight.”

The Prospectors wasted no time in grabbing the game’s momentum, with the first three scores all coming on three-point bombs from Jake Dauenhauer, Logan Fluharty and JJ Lee. By the time the Panthers knew what hit them, the opening quarter was over and Granite was up 17-4. The locals continued the assault until the fourth period when they went scoreless while reserve players got some much-needed playing time.

Dauenhauer and teammate Eric Pitcher led all scorers in the game with 17 points each, followed by Fluharty with 10 and Lee with nine.

Shea Fredette was the leading scorer for Alberton with eight.

“Those are good nights,” continued Kulaski. “Get two or three guys in double figures and scoring spread out around the floor. When everyone contributes you have a good night.”

The Prospectors will face a stiffer challenge Saturday when they travel to Two Eagle River.

SCORING

Alberton – 4/9/4/7 – 26

Granite – 17/14/17/0 – 58

Alberton – Ketron 4, Zimmerman 5, Hill 5, Dao 2, Baughman 2, Fredette 8

Granite – Pitcher 17, Dauenhauer 17, Fluharty 10, ALattin 3, Lee 9, Tennesch 2

*****

Boys Junior Varsity

Alberton 34, Granite 28

The Panthers held the Prospectors scoreless in the first period on their way to a six-point victory.

Asa Lattin played just two quarters but logged a game-high 15 points for Granite.

*****

Girls Varsity

Granite 58, Alberton 14

Like their male counterparts, the Lady Prospectors jumped all over the visiting Lady Panthers in the game’s opening stanza, 17-5. By quarter’s end all five Granite starters had scored. They added an 18-0 run in the second to put the game away.

Ramsey Smith led the Lady Prospectors in scoring with 19 points, followed by Montannah Piar with 17.

SCORING (unofficial)

Alberton – 5/0/3/6 – 14

Granite – 17/18/12/11 – 58

Alberton – Earner 7, MFredette 4, Ray 3

Granite – Smith 19, Tallon 2, Piar 18, Benson 7, Watkins 2, Lilyquist 9