It was a week of three big tests for the Superior Bobcats boys basketball team.

Considering the circumstances, and the inevitable opportunity for a rematch with the team the Bobcats lost to, two out of three ain’t bad either.

Coach Jake McElroy and his Bobcats survived their first test of the week, escaping Hot Springs with an exciting last second 52-50 win over the Plains Horsemen in Hot Springs Tuesday, passed their second test with flying colors in defeating Troy 66-50 in Superior Friday and finally, lost 79-71 to visiting Two Eagle River in Superior in the final exam of the week Saturday.

In the thick of the District 14C conference race, the Bobcats host league-leading St. Regis Thursday and visit Noxon Friday in another pair of 14C contests.

“There are some real good teams in our district this season and we are looking forward to Thursday’s game with Superior in particular,” McElroy said. “This is our rivalry game and the gym will be packed and loud, it should be fun.”

Tuesday’s win over Plains on the partially neutral floor in Hot Springs (a few of the players for the Horsemen are actually reassigned Hot Spring Heat players) was certainly a fun one for the Bobcats, for junior Gannon Quinlan especially.

Gannon scored the last five points of the game, on a 3-pointer with about a minute and a half left in regulation to tie it at 50-50 and then floating in a two-pointer from about 15 feet out at the buzzer to give Superior the last-second win.

Phin Cataldo led the Bobcats to the win with 15 points, including seven in the fourth quarter, Quinlan finished with 10, Amarie Johnson eight, Henry Hanson six, Landon Richards five (including three of four free throws in the fourth quarter) and Conrad Talbot, Noble Brockway and Logan Merrill two each.

Please see other story for Plains scoring.

Against Troy Friday, Quinlan continued his torrid shooting, leading the Bobcats to the win with 24 points, Richards added 19, Cataldo eight, Johnson seven, Merrill six and Hanson two.

McElroy said Quinlan also secured 10 rebounds and that Richards had a team-best 15 boards besides blocking three Troy shot attempts.

Quinlan was white hot shooting the ball again Saturday against Two Eagle, this time scoring 31 points. Richards added 12 points, Cataldo 10, Merrill nine, Hanson seven and Johnson two.

Jayvian Burke scored 25 points to pace Two Eagle, Ryiley Gates added 18 and Talon Addison 17 for the Eagles.

    SUPERIOR JUNIOR Landon Richards looks to score against Plains in Hot Springs Jan. 6. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)