Defense Wins Championships
<p>Superior's Wyatt Zylawy shoots a heavily contested basket against St. Regis on Thursday. The Bobcats had wins over Noxon and St. Regis this week on their way to winning the conference title.</p>
The old adage of “defense wins championships” was alive and well in Superior this week, as the boys basketball team kept the defensive pressure on both Noxon and St. Regis to win two critical games capping off a 31-5 regular season.
On Thursday the Bobcats headed down Interstate 90 to take on a young Tiger team and while the offense got off to a slow start, the defense played lights out from the gate.
“We held the Tigers to single digits in the first half,” Head Coach Chris Toivonen said. “Zach Benda led the charge, registering five steals while Clint Voll and Tanner Smith notched four each.”
Voll also grabbed 14 boards during what Coach Toivonen called his “usually solid all around game.”
Friday night the Bobcats squared off against Noxon, with a win guaranteeing Superior a share of the conference title.
“The kids came out of the gate strong as we took a 23-8 lead at the half,” Coach Toivonen said. “Our defense in the first half was as good as it has been all season, especially considering that our opponent is a great team.”
Benda continued to play solid on defense with five steals and six rebounds while “playing stifling on the ball defense.” Voll played another “great” game for the Bobcats with 10 rebounds.
“Adam Kay, Tucker Smith, and Billy Smith were all great defensively as well,” Coach Toivonen said. “Jarrod Tippens and Wyatt Zylawy did a great job versus Noxon’s outstanding post players.” Superior got a little help from Charlo on Friday night as well. The Vikings narrowly defeated Arlee 88-87 and the victory gave the Bobcats possession of first place and the regular season conference title.
“I am very proud of these boys as they have gone 31-5 during the regular season the past two years,” Coach Toivonen said. “We are very excited for the district tournament this weekend.”