Using a dominant second half, the Patriots extended their winning streak to seven games and improved their overall record to 10-3 as WHS continues to build momentum in the season’s second half.

Westwood was voted No. 3 in this week’s Upper Peninsula Divisions 1-3 rankings as voted on by the U.P. Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.

“We play at a high level when our defense is good, and the first half our defense was slow, a lot of breakdowns from multiple people and just in our rotation,” Patriots head coach Luke Gray said. “Halftime was — just figure that out, make sure that we hammer down a lot of the individual principles.

“And I thought we did a great job of that.”

Escanaba’s Alex Morgan, left, has his shot contested by Westwood’s Tristan Miller, who was called for a foul, during the fourth quarter of their high school boys basketball game played at the Patriots’ gym on Tuesday in Ishpeming. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

The game opened with a back-and-forth exchange as Escanaba’s Javon Stevenson scored the game’s first basket before WHS’ Aaron Pizziola and Reid Frustaglio responded with layups to take an early lead. The Eskymos (6-8) briefly surged ahead 9-8 behind strong play from Stevenson, but Westwood quickly regained control.

A timeout late in the quarter allowed the Patriots to reset, and they finished the first frame on a scoring run, capped by a 3-pointer from Ethan Marta to lead 19-11.

Westwood carried its momentum into the second quarter, with Marta continuing to pace the offense with key buckets and sharp passing. The Pats’ defense began to stifle Escanaba, forcing turnovers and limiting clean looks at the basket.

By halftime, Westwood built a 34-21 lead, with Frustaglio delivering several standout plays, including a difficult turnaround layup in heavy traffic.

Westwood completely take over in the third quarter, holding Escanaba to just four points while piling on offensively. Marta opened the half with back-to-back layups, part of an 11-0 run that put the Patriots firmly in control, 44-21.

Westwood’s Reid Frustaglio, left, and Escanaba’s Alex Morgan reach high for the opening tip of their high school boys basketball game played at the Patriots’ gym on Tuesday in Ishpeming. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

Escanaba struggled to find any rhythm, with Stevenson scoring the Eskymos’ first points of the quarter more than halfway through the frame. Meanwhile, Pizziola and Damien Grondz joined the scoring barrage, and the Patriots entered the final quarter with a commanding 59-25 lead.

With a running clock in the fourth, Westwood continued to dominate at both ends. Marta capped off his stellar night with another quick basket, while Stevenson added a few late points for Escanaba. The Eskymos managed just eight points in the second half as their losing streak has now reached five in a row.

The Patriots face a tough test at Divisions 1-3 No. 5 Negaunee (8-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, the second half of a girls-boys varsity doubleheader.

The first time those boys teams played in west Ishpeming, the Miners prevailed 77-76, but only after two overtimes.

Gray emphasized the importance of maintaining defensive focus as the team prepares for the rematch.

“We have a competitive group of kids. They’re hard workers,” the Westwood coach said. “We know that we have to be really good on the defensive end. We gave them (Negaunee) a big lead last time, and it’s hard to come back from that, so just a quick start making so that we keep hammering down those individual principles.

“Negaunee is a great team, so we’re going to have to be at our best, and our kids are really excited for that, especially we talk about games in the ‘neighborhood.'”

Caden Sierra can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 551. His email address is csierra@nmu.edu.