HURLEY -- Hurley used its best defensive effort of the year, shutting down Ironwood to win the 23rd annual Gogebic Range Holiday Tournament 59-33 Saturday.
How good was the defense? The Red Devils shot 9-of-57 from the field while suffering their first loss of the season.
"We played strong 'D.' That's a big emphasis on how we play," said Hurley junior Daulton Levra, who scored his 1,000th career point in the third quarter.
The Midgets shrugged off a good start by Ironwood to capture its sixth Holiday Tournament title.
It was the matchup many people wanted to see. Ironwood came in 4-0, and Hurley had just played a solid game against Ewen-Trout Creek last week.
Ironwood led 8-7 in the first quarter on a Mike Gering shot against two defenders. Hurley went ahead 11-8 on two Levra shots, but Ironwood senior Dominic Beckman hit a 3-pointer to tie it 11-11.
Hurley led 14-11 at the end of the quarter.
A five-point stretch to start the second quarter hurt Ironwood. Hurley sophomore Justin Rhenlend made one of three free throws. He grabbed his own rebound and got back to the line. He made the first. Garett Innes got the rebound and kicked it out to Levra, who buried the triple.
Ironwood struggled to score the rest of the way. Giancola said Hurley's defense was as good as he's seen it.
Ironwood coach Pete Lewinski credited Hurley.
A 3-pointer gave Levra 1,002 points, and he didn't score after that, finishing with a game-high 27 points.
Hurley also received contributions from others on the floor. All nine Midgets who played entered the scoring column.
Andrew Burla led Ironwood with 11 points.
