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Trent Bell opens Negaunee boys basketball season with a bang in win at Escanaba, 68-48

Negaunee’s Trent Bell, center in dark uniform, is sandwiched by Escanaba defenders, from left, Dalton Deneau, C.J. Barron and Tyler Willette while battling for a rebound Tuesday at Escanaba. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Mike Mattson)

Negaunee's Trent Bell, center in dark uniform, is sandwiched by Escanaba defenders, from left, Dalton Deneau, C.J. Barron and Tyler Willette while battling for a rebound Tuesday at Escanaba. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Mike Mattson)ESCANABA — Negaunee’s Trent Bell felt uneasy about the season-opening boys’ basketball game Tuesday night at Escanaba.

Though he’s been on the varsity for four years and a starter much of that time, the 6-foot-7 senior actually had butterflies in his stomach.

“I was nervous for the first game,” Bell said. “It was my last first game. It was a little scary.”

Not as scary as it was for the Eskymos, who dropped a 68-48 nonleague decision. Bell was a one-man wrecking crew, scoring a career-high 37 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.

Esky had no answer for the the Michigan Tech-bound Bell.

“Bell and (Dre) Tuominen couldn’t have great games,” Esky coach Tracy Hudson said about what it would’ve taken for his team to win. “They had to have average games, but one just went crazy. We kept Tuominen in check, but Bell hurt us the whole game.”

Tuominen, the senior and four-year starting point guard, finished with 11 points, 10 assists and four steals. Jason Waterman also scored 11 points for the Miners, who held a 34-22 rebounding advantage.

Senior Tyler Willette paced the Eskymos with 19 points and point guard Brian Robinette added 15.

Bell scored 16 quick points as Negaunee erupted for a 21-8 lead after one quarter. He had 22 points at halftime as Negaunee led 33-22.

“They took Dre away,” Bell said. “That was their main goal and that opened it up for me. This definitely was a good way for us to start.”

Negaunee coach Dan Waterman enjoyed watching his big man start his senior season with a bang.

“He signed early with Michigan Tech,” Waterman said. “He’s a heck of a player who has put a lot of time in. He’s solid.

“With two senior leaders like (Bell and Tuominen), it means we have to get more from some other kids.”

Negaunee led 55-34 after three quarters.

“We played 32 minutes with no lull in their energy,” Coach Waterman added. “That’s hard to do with high school kids. We don’t have a lot of size with the exception of Trent, so we must outwork teams and outhustle them.”

Esky won the JV game 62-53.

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