Mickelson opens season with win

COOKS – The Big Bay de Noc Black Bears kicked off their 2022-23 season with a new coach and an impressive win at home over the Munising Baptist Bobcat’s Monday night. Despite a 27-point effort by the Bobcat’s Ryan Swift, coach Gunner Mickelson’s coaching debut saw his Black Bear’s offense on fire early and finishing with 12 three-point baskets in the 72-54 win over Munising.

The triple blitz got started early with Cameron Miller setting the pace with 12 first quarter points, nine that fell from behind the arc. Braedon Thill added two triples Above, Nick DesJarden (3) goes up for two in the fourth quarter. At right, Cameron Miller stands big and tall as the Bobcats Ryan Swift leaps in the paint to the net. to help push the Bears lead to 26-13 when the opening period came to an end.

Up by 13-points, the Bear’s kept knocking shots down from three-point range to go into the break controlling a 47-24 advantage over the very young Bobcat team. Miller, Thill, Parker Pederson and Steven Holmes, all scored from behind the arc in the period.

Munising went on to outscore Big Bay 30-25 in the second half, but couldn’t seal the gap.

Miller led the Bears in scoring finishing with 17 points. The lone senior on the team hit five three-point shots out of seven attempts. He also had three assists and pulled down nine rebounds in the win.

Swift the lone senior on the Bobcat’s did his work scoring 20-points of his game high 27-points from the paint.

In addition to Miller, Thill added 13 points, Holmes 12, Pederson 8, Riley Harvey 8, Joel Gillespie 5, Jason Thayer 5 and Casey Gembel two points.

In addition to Swift, Dylan Swift added 13 points, Michael Maloney 6, Ethan Swift 5 and Zeke Meskill three points.

Big Bay will host Republic Michigamme tonight (Thursday).

Big Bay- 26 21 13 12-72

Munising- 13 11 11 19-54