Panthers win top-3 battle over Lakes

By JASON JUNO

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LAKE LINDEN — Ewen-Trout Creek keeps getting better at defending Lake Linden-Hubbell’s All-U.P. backcourt.

When the Panthers gave up 51 points to Cleo Milkey and Emily Jokela in a regular-season game last year, they lost.

In the next meeting, that number was down to 34, and E-TC won a close regional tournament matchup in March.

And on Thursday night in Lake Linden’s gym, the Panthers only surrendered a combined 22 points and they dominated the Lakes for a 56-41 victory.

“They’re both really good,” E-TC coach Jacky Besonen said. “Both MaKayla (Basel) and...