ST. NICHOLAS — A second quarter explosion propelled the North Central girls’ basketball team in a season opening 54-36 win over Mid Peninsula here Tuesday. The Jets scored 20 points in the period and frustrated the Wolverines with a full court press.

“We shot really good from the field,” Jets’ coach Lee Vincent said. “The nerves got to us a little bit in the first quarter but after we settled down we really played well.”

The Jets were able to hit from the outside in the second quarter so Wolverines’ coach Phil Croasdell decided to switch up to man-to-man defense in the second half.

“In the second and third quarter they (Jets) shot over 50 percent,” Croasdell said. “When we switched to man we took away some of their outside shooting but then they were able to get inside on us.”

Breaking the press was a problem for the Wolverines, and Croasdell saw the impact it had on his team from a mental standpoint.

“They (Jets) kind of deflated us,” he said. “Their press got us frustrated. And on the flip side, our press didn’t pan out tonight — usually we get steals off of it. I just think they were a little more ready to play than us.”

The Arsenault tandem led the Jets, as Bree Arsenault scored 17 points and Andie Arsenault added 16.

“It’s nice to have eight players that all can play,” Vincent said. “Everyone gets a rest. It was a great team effort all the way around and I’m proud of every one of them. We played great team defense and hustled well. We also only had eight turnovers, which is probably a record for us.”

Like the Arsenault tandem, the Englund tandem was cooking for the Wolverines. Kennedy Englund led the way with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Daisy Englund had 12 points and six rebounds.

“Daisy and Kennedy both did really good,” Croasdell said. “They hit their shots but they didn’t really have any other support. Normally the other players hit those shots — it might have been first game jitters because normally we don’t get out-shot.

“I also want to give credit to Chevy Koski for doing a great job on Chloe Wells in the first half, holding her to two points. She (Wells) was one of my main concerns coming in.”

The North Central jayvees won 59-23.

Mid Pen is at Republic-Michigamme Friday, while North Central visits Stephenson Tuesday.

North Central 4 20 16 14 — 54

Mid Peninsula 7 8 7 14 — 36

North Central — B. Arsenault 17, A. Arsenault 16, Wells 10, Smith 6, Linder 3, Neville 2. F: 14; FT: 5-7; Fouled out: Linder. 3-point field goals: B. Arsenault 2, A. Arsenault.

Mid Peninsula — K. Englund 20, D. Englund 12, Derocher 2, Lancour 2. F: 9; FT: 4-7; Fouled out: None. 3-point field goals: K. Englund 5, D. Englund.