Negaunee bows out in the state semifinals

EAST LANSING – As far as size goes, the Negaunee boys basketball teams is one of the bigger teams in the U.P. The Miners opponent in the state semifinals, Detroit Consortium, was the biggest team Negaunee had faced all season.

Detroit Consortium used their size to their advantage, as the Cougars defeated the Miners, 69-54 in the Class ‘C’ state semifinals on Thursday at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The Cougars had three players in double figures, led by Rudy Smith with 18 points on 10-18 shooting from the field.

Jay Lori led Negaunee with 14 points. Eric Lori had 12, Tyler Jandron scored 11, and Zane Radloff chipped in with 8 points in their final game as members of the Negaunee basketball team. Lori, Jandron, and Radloff are all seniors.

The Miners finish the season with a 24-2 record. Negaunee has won four straight regional championships and has made two straight appearances in the state semifinals.