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A 41-point outburst against Mesabi East was just a warm-up act for Ely’s Caid Chittum.
The Timberwolves senior went for even more in Saturday’s holiday tournament finale against Bigfork, erupting for a career-high and Ely boys basketball program record 50 points in a 111-63 thrashing of Bigfork.
Chittum, who averages 34 points per contest, needed 61 points Saturday to get to 1,000 and he nearly did it one game.
Ely continued to get the ball to the six-foot guard near the free throw line, and he scored numerous times from close-in, finishing 17-for-22 on twopoint shots.
Chittum also went beyond the arc, draining four three-pointers on his way to the half-century mark and beating the previous program bests set by Eric McDonald (48 points, 2006) and Reed Petersen (47, 1999).
Head Coach Tom McDonald watched Chittum’s scoring barrage Saturday and was rooting his senior on as neared the record.
“I wanted him to get it,” said Mc-Donald. “He’s also 11 away from 1,000 and I wanted to make sure he got it at home Friday (vs. North Woods) rather than getting it on the road.”
As he has earlier in the season, Chittum took charge for the Wolves and helped them bounce back from their first loss of the season - a 77-71 defeat to Two Harbors the night before.
“I think he’s matured into a leader and I think Caid’s confidence is really, really high right now with his shooting,” said McDonald. “And as I’ve said before his work ethic is just so strong.”
The Wolves took control early against Bigfork, putting the Huskies away and at times scoring at will.
Junior Drew Johnson had one of his biggest games in an Ely uniform, scoring a career-high 23 points and notching a triple-double, adding 12 assists and 11 rebounds.
“Jack Davies had a nice game too with nine assists and I though he did a nice job finding guys,” said Mc-Donald.
Ely fell behind early against a taller, more physical Two Harbors team, but found its way back.
The Wolves overcame a double-digit lead and took a 70-68 edge with about two minutes left on a long-range bomb by Trenton Bishop.
But Two Harbors tied the game on the ensuing possession, the Wolves misfired on a couple of close shots and the Agates dominated the last 90 seconds to win by six.
“I thought that first half is what really got us,” said McDonald. “I thought we were really poor on defense, but it was nice to fight back and take a lead.”
Chittum scored 26 points to pace the Wolves and Davies was next with 23.
• Ely met North Woods Friday after deadline and a big week is ahead with road match-ups against Class AA Greenway (Tuesday) and Nashwauk-Keewatin (Friday), followed by a Jan. 11 home meeting against Northland (Remer).
