Denfeld's size, physicality outlasts Superior boys

Player shoots over defense. — Superior’s Jayce Rue (15) scores a bucket over Duluth Denfeld’s Lee Brooks (10) and the Hunter defense in the second half of the game in Superior on Thursday, Jan. 23.

By Jake Przytarski

January 23, 2025 at 11:17 PM

Duluth Denfeld used its height and size advantage to full effect on Thursday in a down-to-the-wire 68-62 win over Superior at Superior High School.

The physical edge allowed the Hunters to mix and match defensively against the Spartans, which head coach Phil Homere pointed to as key in the victory.

Player shoots ball. — Superior’s Drew Eisel (5) shoots over Duluth Denfeld’s Antonio Brown (33) in the first half of the game in Superior on Thursday, Jan. 23.

“I feel like our size came in huge for us and the ability to be able to rotate different guys in as far as to play defense, because they have some tough guys,” said Homere. … I feel like even at times when our size was too big that they found ways to find a mismatch.”

Superior head coach Kory Deadrick tipped his cap to Denfeld for their intensity and toughness, but acknowledged the 30-13 advantage in free throw attempts for the Hunters loomed large in the end result.

Player drives to hoop. — Duluth Denfeld’s Marnaries Ferguson (1) drives past Superior’s Jayce Rue (15) in the second half of the Hunters' win in Superior on Thursday, Jan. 23.

“I thought that was a little bit skewed, personally,” he said. “I thought we were getting bumped and hit down low just as much and to shoot less than half of the free throws they did, that's a disparity to me.”

The battle of the boards heavily favored the Hunters in the first half as big men Antonio Brown and Carter Brown made their presence felt inside with multiple second chance looks and put-back baskets. Nathan LaPlante complimented the strong post play with a pair of 3-pointers to give Denfeld an early 16-6 lead.

A 6-0 run fueled by consecutive 3-point plays by Anderson helped settle the Spartans in after a rocky first eight minutes. Scoring leaders Drew Eisel and Calvin Anderson kept Superior within striking distance for the remainder of the half with 10 points each in a 32-27 score.

Marnaries Ferguson scored 15 of his team-high 21 points in the second and singlehandedly pushed the Hunters’ lead to nine early in the second half at 36-27.

Undeterred, the Spartans responded with a 9-0 run to draw even at 36 behind 3-pointers from Jayce Rue.

Player gets up shot. — Duluth Denfeld’s Marnaries Ferguson (1) shoots over Superior’s Calvin Anderson (24) in the second half of the Hunters' win in Superior on Thursday, Jan. 23.

After falling behind by six at 52-46, the Hunters stormed back to take the lead for a final time at 53-52 with a basket by Carter Brown, who finished with 19 points.

Turnovers, missed shots and foul trouble ultimately spoiled Superior’s late comeback bid. The Spartans managed to pull within three with just under a minute left but were unable to close the gap.

Next up for the Spartans (7-9) is a road matchup against River Falls on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7:15 p.m. Denfeld (8-7) will be at Hermantown on Friday to take on the Hawks at 7:15 p.m.

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