Chassell’s Abe Gockenbach goes up for a layup as Baraga’s Gunnar Lindemann gives chase in a Class D district tournament game played in Baraga on Monday. (Houghton Daily Mining Gazette photo by Bryce Derouin)

BARAGA — The scariest moment of Chassell’s 76-43 win over the Baraga Vikings on Monday night came midway through the third quarter. 

Chassell starting senior center Jake Holmes awkwardly fell backwards while trying to haul in a pass and appeared shaken up as he stayed on the ground for a brief moment. But Holmes managed to get up and make his way to the bench before stretching out his leg and making sure he felt OK. 

“He tweaked his knee,” Panthers head coach Bill Sleeman said. “He tweaked it when he tried to spin and land. He felt fine once he got it moving and got off the floor. Hopefully, he’ll be 100 percent come Wednesday.”

That’s when Chassell faces Lake Linden-Hubbell (6-14) at 8 p.m. in a district semifinal matchup.

Staying healthy was one of the biggest concerns Monday for the Panthers, and they appear to have done just that after cruising as heavy favorites against the 0-21 Vikings. 

Senior Hunter Rautiola led Chassell with 21 points, while sophomore Abe Gockenbach featured his usual explosiveness in a 14-point performance that included eight rebounds and seven assists.

It was a “business as usual” type of night for a Chassell team that takes advantage of its opponents’ mistakes. The Panthers’ full-court pressure forced Baraga into 20 first-half turnovers, allowing Chassell to take a 47-21 lead at halftime. 

“Chassell’s press is relentless,” Baraga head coach Daryl Putala said. “That’s where we got in trouble.

Baraga junior Colton Lindemann led the Vikings with 15 points.