CRYSTAL FALLS — The Bark River-Harris girls gained the upper hand early here Thursday night in a 55-42 basketball victory over the Forest Park Trojans.

BR-H led 18-4 after the first quarter and 31-15 at halftime of the Skyline Central Conference outing.

“We played good early,” said BR-H coach Matt Richer. “We moved and shared the ball and shot real well. This was a good team win.”

Cara Zawacki led the Broncos (12-8 overall, 10-5 SCC) with 16 points. Allison Richer added 12 points and 10 assists and Sierra Debelak had eight points and five assists.

Mercedes Simmons scored 21 points for the Trojans (7-12 overall, 5-9 league) in the regular-season finale.

“Early in the game, Cara got two good looks, put them in and got us started,” said coach Richer. “We struggled with Simmons a little. She’s bigger, stronger and taller than us. She’s really good. I think we’re peaking at the right time.

“We’re shooting the ball real well.”

Forest Park held a 34-27 rebounding advantage, hit 15-of-52 field goals and committed 17 turnovers. The Broncos were 17-of-47 from the floor and had 18 miscues.

BR-H, which won the JV game 55-23, travels to third-ranked Westwood or Ishpeming for its Division 3 district opener Wednesday. Forest Park goes to fourth-ranked North Dickinson or Republic-Michigamme for its D-4 opener Wednesday.

Bark River 18 13 17 7 — 55

Forest Park 4 11 9 18 — 42

Bark River-Harris — Fredrick 3, Debelak 8, Zawacki 16, Arndt 8, Richer 12, Cappaert 1, Peterson 5, Berg 2. FT: 5-9; F: 10; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Zawacki 3, Arndt 2, Richer 2, Debelak 2, Fredrick.

Forest Park — LaChapelle 8, Simmons 21, Honkala 6, Peterson 2, Jacobson 2, Johnson 3. FT: 5-9; F: 8; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: LaChapelle 2, Johnson.