The Superior Spartans boys’ basketball team hosted the Duluth East Greyhounds for the third annual Coaches vs. Cancer game Thursday in the SHS gym. A Spartans comeback attempt came up short, as the Greyhounds walked away with a 75-70 win.

The Greyhounds shot ahead to a 19-2 lead in the first half before senior Mason Ackley drove past a Hound defender and threw down a slam dunk, a signature Ackley move. Senior Beau Severson also made multiple 3-pointers.

“We came out flat, not matching East’s effort, we spent most of the game digging ourselves out of a hole, and that really hurt us,” Ackley said. “It always sucks to lose, but especially in a game against a Duluth team, which is always a rivalry and a game we want more than most.”

The Hounds fought to a 45-41 halftime lead, but the Spartans were fighting to keep it close the whole way.

The tension on the court made for a rapid paced game.

The Hounds continued hitting three after three, which helped them hold their steady lead over Superior.

Senior Xavier Patterson gave the Spartans hope near the end of the game, scoring eight points to try and keep the score close. Even being the Spartans’ top scorer with 20 points, it was not enough to rally past the Hounds.

The Spartans will have to get past this loss and bounce back next game.

Superior fell to 5-5 (2-1 Lake Superior Conference). The junior varsity team also lost 57-54, falling to 7-3.

The C-Team won 67-31, improving to a perfect 10-0 on the season so far.

Superior’s next game will be at Duluth East High School today against New Life Academy.