Merrill Bluejays (Merrill, WI) backers were in high spirits Tuesday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the visiting Lakeland Thunderbirds (Minocqua, WI), 83-73 in a non-league bout.

With the win, Merrill upgrades its record to 3-2 on the season. The Bluejays travel to Wausau East (Wausau, WI) to clash with the Lumberjacks in a Wisconsin Valley bout on Friday, December 15. The Lumberjacks go into the bout with a record of 5-2. Wausau East lost 101-62 in their recent non-league bout against Colby (Colby, WI)

Next up, the Thunderbirds clash with the Northland Pines Eagles (Eagle River, WI) in a Great Northern bout, on Friday, December 15. Lakeland will attempt to upgrade on its 3-2 season record. The Eagles go into the bout with a 3-5 record after their 58-51 non-league win over Hurley (Hurley, WI).