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Jets Rejoice

North Central extends streak to 74 wins in final home game

Mike Mattson | Daily Press North Central’s Jason Whitens (3) launches a jump shot over Forest Park’s Jacob Frisanco Tuesday in the first half at Powers. Whitens scored 29 points in the Jets’ 79-40 victory.

POWERS — Jason Whitens hugged fans and took pictures with his senior teammates Tuesday night in the North Central High School gymnasium.

Hugs and pictures were in order after the Jets routed Forest Park 79-40 on Parents Night and Senior Night. Emotions were running high — especially for Whitens — in the last home game for the seniors.

“I’ve been coming to this gym since I was 3-years-old,” Whitens said after leading the Jets with 29 points. “There’s a lot of hard work and memories here. It’s a memorable place.”

The Jets added to the memories, posting their 18th straight win this season and nation-leading 74th victory in a row.

They won in familiar fashion, using an intense pressure defense and up-tempo attack. The Jets bolted to a 24-9 first-quarter lead that revved up the large home crowd in attendance.

“I loved our effort and energy coming out of the gate,” Jets’ coach Adam Mercier said. “The seniors set the tone. They always bring the intensity when the ball goes up. Their attention to detail was fantastic tonight.”

The Trojans (8-11) fell behind 43-22 at halftime and knew they were in trouble.

“Give credit where credit is due,” Forest Park coach Chris Nocerini said. “Jason and Dawson (Bilski) are phenomenal basketball players and their supporting cast does a good job. All I can say is I’m glad they are graduating and I wish them the best of luck.”

Bilski finished with 13 points and Marcus Krachinski added 10 points, with 10 players scoring for the Jets.

Sophomore Riley Hendrickson hit a pair of 3-pointers and had a team-high 11 points for the Trojans, who fell 64-40 in the first meeting against North Central. Daniel

Nocerini contributed nine points for Forest Park, which trailed 65-33 after three quarters.

Coach Nocerini wasn’t pleased with his team’s patience on offense.

“We had some bad decisions on offense,” said Nocerini, whose team had 14 turnovers. “You can’t come down and have one pass and shoot. When Daniel is hitting (3-pointers), we’re in trouble. We tried to slide Daniel around a bit, but they knew who they had to stop.”

North Central shot 49 percent from the field and Forest Park hit 30 percent.

Whitens said the Jets approached Tuesday’s game the same way as others this season.

“We just like to go out and have fun,” Whitens said. “When you get to go out and do this in front of this community, it doesn’t get any better.”

North Central, which won the jayvee game 67-33, travels to Mid Peninsula Thursday.

Forest Park 9 13 11 7 — 40

North Central 24 19 22 14 — 79

Forest Park — Hendrickson 11, Josh Logan 5, Ponchaud 2, Frisanco 6, Jacob Logan 2, Isaacson 5, Nocerini 9. FT: 2-4; F: 18; Fouled out: Logan; 3-point field goals: Hendrickson 3, Josh Logan, Nocerini 2.

North Central — Schaff 1, Krachinski 10, Polfus 6, Dombrowski 4, Bilski 13, Kleiman 7, Whitens 29, Snyder 4, Plunger 2, Johnson 3. FT; 14-16; F: 9; Fouled out: none; 3-point field goals: Polfus 2, Bilski 3, Kleiman, Whitens 2, Johnson.

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