Westwood’s Taylor Dellangelo and L’Anse’s Eli Ostemeyer go after the ball with teammate Paul Jacobson in action November 27 at Westwood. (Journal photo by Corey Kelly)

2018-19 schedule

All times Eastern

Nov. 27 — at Westwood

Dec. 3 — Hancock, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 6 — Houghton, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 10 — at Negaunee, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 13 — West Iron Co., 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 17 — at Baraga, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 20 — Iron Mountain, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 3 — Calumet, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 7 — at Houghton, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 14 — Ewen-Trout Cr., 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 22 — Chassell. 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 25 — at Gwinn, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 29 — Baraga, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 1 — at Hancock, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 4 — at Ishpeming, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 8 — LL-Hubbell, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 12 — at Calumet, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 15 — at West Iron C., 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 19 — at Ontonagon, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 22 — Jeffers, 7:15 p.m.

By PAUL PETERSON

Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

L’ANSE — No one could argue that L’Anse High boys basketball team suffered through a tough season last winter.

But the Purple Hornets are armed with more depth and third-year coach Kyle Koski feels his team could cause some damage in the WestPAC Copper Division.

“We’ve got more kids on the roster and we also are going to be taller,” Koski said recently. “The kids have a good attitude and are working hard.”

The Hornets will also face a tougher schedule with the addition of former Mid-Peninsula foes in the new conference alignment.

“Any time you add teams like Negaunee, Ishpeming, Westwood and Iron Mountain, you know it’s going to be a tough schedule,” Koski said.

L’Anse opened the season with a matchup against Westwood on Tuesday.

Returning starters are Cooper LaPlante, Reese Waara and Alec Rajala.

All three are seniors who add something to the LHS scheme. Senior Terry Reed is another possibility.

LaPlante, who stands 6-foot-3, was among the team leaders in scoring and rebounding. Waara showed promise while rotating at forward and guard, while Rajala got time in the backcourt.

“Those three should be leaders for us,” Koski noted.

Eli Osterman, a 6-5 freshman, could provide needed depth on the inside. Fellow freshman DeSean Allen figures to help as well.

Louie Bogda, who started as a sophomore, also returns after injuries sidelined him a year ago.

Sophomore Alex Kissel adds size at 6-foot-1 and played often a year ago.

“I think we have a good mix of experience and size,” Koski said.