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ELLSWORTH - The Ellsworth boys are officially the team to beat in the Northern Lakes Conference after their 58-37 drubbing of the Mackinaw City Comets, who were undefeated in the conference before last Thursday's NLC tilt in Ellsworth.

However, the Lancers did get out to a slow start on Thursday, falling behind 16-13 at the end of the first quarter.

Ellsworth continued to struggle offensively in the second quarter, only putting up seven points, but their defense shut out the Comets, and they took a 20-16 advantage into the half.

"We had a lot of unforced turnovers in the first half," Ellsworth head coach Tex Drenth said after the game. "That's not our style of basketball. "We talked at halftime to limit our turnovers and be solid with the ball."

Ellsworth broke the game open in the second half, with baskets by Tyler Ingalls and Nolan Howes sandwiched in between two three pointers by Jared Danbert.

After only 2:40 had elapsed in the third, Ellsworth had a commanding 30-18 lead. By the end of the third, the score was 42-27.

Danbert opened up the fourth quarter like he opened up the third - with a three - and any hopes Mackinaw City had of mounting a comeback were quickly dashed.

Juston Weis hit a long two from the right corner to give Ellsworth its last bucket - and its biggest lead - with 1:50 left in the game to make the score 58-35.

Although Drenth wasn't happy with the team's offense in the first half, he was very happy with the Lancers' defensive effort, especially in the pivotal second quarter when they shut out the Comets.

"That's a credit to the kids and their hustle. Mackinaw City had to work for everything they got.

"The hustle and desire have been there all year long. Now we just need the offense to get there and we'll be fine."

The win moves the Lancers' record up to 6-1, and they're still undefeated in the conference.

Drenth conceded that the win over Mackinaw City was a "a big game," but like any coach, he warns that a lot can still happen.

"If we want to have any say in the conference race, we have to protect our home court. But, there's a lot of season left. It's early in the year."

Danbert led the Lancers with 23 points on five threes. Jesse Steenwyck added 9.

Ellsworth was at Alba last night, and they travel to Boyne Falls to face the surging Loggers on Thursday.

In the JV game, Ellsworth fell to the Comets, 64-38. Robert Gruse had 13 points and 11 rebounds. John Clevenger added 11 points.