Intense defensive pressure from Kingsford guard Cole Myllyla (1) literally knocked over Iron Mountain freshman Gerald Sampoll Torres (10) and caused a turnover picked up by fellow Flivver Gavin Grondin (5) during the rematch of the neighboring teams on Tuesday night. Myllyla, along with guardmate Nic Nora, made big plays down the stretch to seal the 53-46 victory over the Mountaineers. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

In Tuesday night’s rematch at a raucous Kingsford High School, the UPSSA third-ranked Flivvers got their season sweep with a 53-46 victory, but this game was much different. This time Kingsford survived a game effort from a vastly improved Iron Mountain squad, mostly because of their experience guards.

Junior Nic Nora and classmate Cole Myllyla both recorded traditional three-point plays with less than 3:30 left to play to break a 41-all tie and secure the win at home.

“With Nic and Cole, they’re both very strong and fast guards,” Kingsford coach Dan Olkkonen said. “Nic’s been a three-year starter and you get that experience from playing in big games.

“We’re happy and fortunate that some of the plays went our way in the end.”

Kingsford junior Troy Watt (11) attempts to reel in a pass from teammate Brody Kopp (12) while also fending off Iron Mountain defenders Oskar Kangas (0) and Ian Marttila (14) during the second game of the crosstown series between the two local rivals Tuesday night at Kingsford High School. The game was hard-fought and closely contested with the Flivvers gaining the season sweep over the Mountaineers with a 53-46 victory. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

After the three-point plays, Nora sank 4 of 4 free throws and Myllyla hit both of his attempts to salt the game away.

“I think the experience really kicked up at the end, especially slowing it down at the end, holding the ball for good shots and not rushing,” said Nora, who led Kingsford with 21 points. “I’m just happy with how we came together and locked in defensively at the end and made our free throws.”

After falling behind 11-4 in the opening three minutes, the Mountaineers showed Tuesday’s game would not be a repeat of the first encounter. Freshman Ian Marttila scored in transition, fellow freshman Oskar Kangas hit two free throws, junior Joey Colavecchi sank a layup in the press break and Kangas got a dunk after his steal to bring the Mountaineers back into the game.

The improvement of coach Harvey “Bucky” Johnson’s crew in the last month was obvious throughout. But there is still the competitive side of the coach and his crew.

“I told the kids after the game how proud I was of their effort,” Johnson said. “But I mean, they’re ticked that they lost. We’re not happy that we lost the game. It was a winnable game.

“We know we’ve made some improvement and this game showed it. But in terms of getting the ‘W,’ we didn’t finish the game,” he added. “And they made a few more plays and free throws and did some things a little bit better than we did down the stretch.”

The second quarter slowed offensively, but action heated up again in the third.

Iron Mountain went on a 9-2 run to take a 33-27 lead with 4:26 to play in the third. James Chartier and Kangas both scored on tip-ins before Colavecchi buried three free throws after being fouled shooting a 3-pointer.

“We knew they were going to come in ready to compete,” Nora said of the Mountaineers. “We know it’s a big game and a big atmosphere. And we knew they’re young, but they can play. They came to play today.”

Nora’s steal and layup with 2:57 left in the third sparked Kingsford on a 6-0 run to knot the score at 33-all heading into the fourth.

The teams were tied at 41 when Nora and Myllyla made the plays that separated the two teams.

Myllyla finished with 10 points for the Flivvers. Kangas led Iron Mountain with 19 points, while Colavecchi added 10.

All told, Tuesday night’s game was what high school basketball is all about — packed stands, wonderful pep band, halftime entertainment (by the Kingsford drummers) and a hard-fought, clean and close contest.

“I thought it was a great atmosphere,” Olkkonen said. “I thought both student sections did a great job, I thought the kids on the floor played with great class. It was a great game.”

Jerry DeRoche can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 244, or at jderoche@ironmountaindailynews.com.