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Ellsworth won its first Northern Lakes Conference title since 1992, with a 53-51 win over Boyne Falls. Jarod Steenwyk scored a game-high 22 points for the Lancers.

"We never had the lead," Boyne Falls coach Frank Hamilla said. "The closest we came was two points and that was at the end of the game." Boyne almost didnÕt have that chance though.

In the game's final minute, Ellsworth had its two-point lead and two free throws coming from the line. The Lancers were unable to convert on either free throw, leaving the Loggers with less than 10 seconds to tie, or win, the game.

"We couldn't get a shot off," Hamilla said. "We got our chance."

Hamilla said a good Ellsworth defense kept the Loggers from getting the lead throughout the game.

"Ellsworth played good man-to-man defense," Hamilla said. "They were tough, in denying the passing lanes to us."

Hamilla said his team was concerned with the scoring of EllsworthÕs Dustin Flory, so Boyne often double-teamed him. The Lancers had other players that picked up the slack though. '

"We were concerned about Flory, so we doubled-up," Hamilla said. "That left Steenwyk open, and he hit two big 3Õs in the fourth that hurt us."

Cody Sisson led the Loggers with 17 points, Josh Haskin added 14. They faced Vanderbilt in district play last night.