Escanaba senior Grayson LaMarche (white jersey) secures a pass in the paint during a game against Crystal Falls Forest Park on Dec. 16, 2024 at Escanaba High School. ("The Big Dog" Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — How many teams in the year 2024 score 76 points while making a mighty (checks notes) two 3-pointers?

It’s a rare, modern-day feat Escanaba girls’ basketball accomplished in a 76-55 win over Crystal Falls Forest Park on Monday.

The Eskymos finished 30-of-56 from inside the 3-point line, including an 11-of-17 night from 6-foot senior Grayson LaMarche, who racked up 22 points and eight rebounds. Junior Landry Bray, 5-foot 11, finished 5-of-11 from the floor for 12 points and five boards. Junior Susie Moberg, 5-foot 9, went 4-of-7 from the field to accumulate nine points and a pair of rebounds.””That’s kind of who we want to be,” Hudson said. “We talked about that. We’ve kind of switched things up, and it’s starting to come together a little bit. But  it’s got a ways to go.”

Esky caught fire inside early on, claiming the game’s first 12 points and took a 16-2 lead off of 12 points in the paint, a LaMarche free throw to complete a 3-point play and senior Clara Braun knocking down the first of her two successful shots from beyond the arc.

The Eskymos (2-2) inside presence continued to be a problem. The orange and black started the second quarter on a 14-6 run off baskets exclusively from inside. 

“We pounded the paint,” Hudson said. “Our girls are buying in as far as us getting the ball inside. Grayson delivered, Moberg delivered, Bray delivered. I wish I had a shot chart, because it would just be pretty much  black right around the basket.”

But life on Monday wasn’t exactly a breeze for the Eskymos. Entering the game the defensive gameplan was to shut down two CFFP players in junior Elsie Williams and freshman Audrey Williams. 

The duo got loose in the first half’s final moments, and 3-point shots were falling. The duo combined to lead the Trojans on a 9-2 run to cut the deficit to 37-23 at the break.

CFFP stayed hot entering the third quarter with the Williams duo totaling nine points to anchor an 11-2 run to pull the visitors within five points.

Then the Eskymos brought back their half court trap after Moberg connected in the paint and made the subsequent free throw for the 3-point play. And the trap was effective. 

What was once a five-point lead blossomed into a 13-point advantage with five points off of turnovers, including a play where a LaMarche steal led to senior Katey Lamb connecting for a transition layup.

It was a cushion large enough to where the Eskymos were able to continue pounding the rock to bodies inside the paint.

“We just got ourselves down early and just kind of had a tough time getting back in,” Trojans coach Kim Bjork said. “Their size kind of took over a little bit at the end, and we just didn’t have an answer for it, but we did some good things. We’re a young team, and we’re liking what we’re seeing so far.”

While the Trojans fall to 2-3 on the season, they left the confines of Escanaba’s home floor with a handful of positives. CFFP knocked down 10 triples, outscored Esky 22-18 in the third quarter and saw Elsie Williams accumulate a game-best 28 points.

“We’re going to be a good scoring team. I think it’s just a matter of time before we catch rhythm with our shooting,” Bjork said. “I mean, we hit 10 threes tonight, so that’s 30 of our points. We’re going to find a lot of confidence in our shooting and our ability to score as a team. Defensively we’re doing good things.”

Takeaways

CFFP: The young Trojans were red hot from beyond the arc. CFFP capitalized on opportunities when the Eskymos shifted to their man-to-man (or in this case woman-to-woman) defense. Elsie Williams’ 28 points are the most a single player has scored against Escanaba this season.

Esky: The Eskymos saw three players finish with 10 or more points, a goal Hudson has with this team. LaMarche totalled 22 points, Bray finished with 12 and junior Ava Stalboerger tallied 10 points off the bench. Moberg (9) and Lamb (8) were on the cusp of five players finishing with 10 or more points.

Next games

CFFP: Trips to face Superior Central at 6 p.m. Thursday in its final game before Christmas break. The Trojans defeated the Cougars 39-32 last season. 

Esky: Hits the road to face West Iron County at 7 p.m. Thursday before returning home to face Kingsford at 7 p.m. Friday. The Eskymos went a combined 3-0 against the Wykons (1-2) and Flivvers (2-1) last season. 

Box score

Escanaba 21 16 18 21 — 76

Crystal Falls Forest Park 8 15 22 10 — 55

Escanaba — Salo 3, Engebreston 2, LaMarche 22, Braun 6, Stalboerger 10, Lamb 8, Moberg 9, Miron 2, Beauchamp 2, Bray 12; FT: 10-14; Fouls: 16; 3-point baskets: Braun 2

Crystal Falls Forest Park — Woollard 3, A. Williams 11, E Williams 28, Anderson 3, Shamion 8; FT: 5-12; Fouls: 12; 3-point baskets: E Williams 4, A Williams 3, Shamion 2, Anderson 1