LaTourell scores 22 in road ‘W’

by Tom Coombe
It was Brock LaTourell’s turn to carry the load.
In a season when all five Ely starters have shown the capability of scoring in bunches, LaTourell led the way on Tuesday in a 58-53 high school boys basketball victory over Mt. Iron-Buhl.
LaTourell drained four of his five three-point baskets in the opening half and finished with a team-high 22 points as the visiting Wolves completed a regular-season sweep of the Rangers and improved to 6-2.
“Brock kept us in the game in the first half as he shot really well and hit four of his five ‘threes’ in the half,” said Ely Head Coach Tom McDonald. “We defended well enough to stay in the game but it was Brock who kept us in it offensively.”
The teams traded momentum and control throughout the night at Mt. Iron, with the Rangers taking a 29-26 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the seesaw continued but the Wolves pulled ahead at the end and stayed there, with sophomore Joey Bianco scoring 13 of his 16 points in the half.
“It was a game of runs and we made the last run to pull away with the win,” said McDonald. “We really struggled shooting in the first half as we were eight-for 30 from the field including three-of-16 on ‘2s.’We then hit enough free throws at the end to pull away. ”
Senior Emmett Faltesek hit double digits for the Wolves with 12 points while Ely overcame a 29-point outburst from MIB’s Asher Zubich - the only Ranger in double figures.
LaTourell had six steals to go with his 22 points and Bianco snared seven rebounds, while senior Will Davies secured eight rebounds.
The Wolves hosted Chisholm Friday to kick off a busy stretch of the season.
Ely visits Silver Bay Feb. 23 and hosts South Ridge Feb. 26, while three games are scheduled in both of the following two weeks.
Section 7A playoff action begins March 16 at home sites.