Negaunee’s Jordan Guenette, left, goes for a layup while being defended by Kingsford’s Morgan Sleik in the first quarter of their high school boys basketball game played at Lakeview Memorial Gymnasium in Negaunee on Friday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

NEGAUNEE — The Negaunee High School Miners boys basketball team was unable to match the Miners’ girls success, coming up short against Kingsford in the finals of the Irontown Holiday Bash basketball tournament Friday.

The Flivvers boys took on host Negaunee in the final game and scored a 52-40 victory.

Kingsford junior Gavin Grondin led all scorers, racking up 21 points, while Miners senior Gavin Saunders put in 12.

The Flivvers continued their perfect 8-0 start to the season by coming out hot against Negaunee and taking a 14-8 lead after one quarter.

The Miners (7-3) also were coming into the game with a head of steam, winning their last seven in a row, including putting up 74 points against downstate Manton the night before in the tournament semifinal.

Each team scored a dozen points in the second quarter to leave Kingsford still ahead 26-20 at halftime. The Flivvers could credit their continued lead with eight points scored by senior big man Jacob Markworth.

The Flivvers continued their hot performance into the second half with solid shooting, including two 3-pointers from the hot hand of Grondin, helping Kingsford maintain a three-point advantage when the quarter finished, 36-33.

The final frame saw Kingsford pull away, outscoring the tournament hosts 16-7 in a final quarter that included scores from beyond the arc by Grondin and senior Cardel Morton.

Both teams are back in action on Thursday evening. The Miners travel to Houghton in hopes to get back to their winning ways when they face the Gremlins at 7:15 p.m., while the Flivvers look to continue their perfect start when they travel to Marquette at 6 p.m.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Randy Crouch. He can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 542 His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net.