NORWAY — Despite trailing the majority of the game, Norway prevailed in the end, slipping past Rapid River 60-57 here Friday night. The win clinched a share of the Skyline Central Conference championship for the Knights, with Munising sharing the other half of the crown.

Senior center Kody Hendricks drained a game high 26 points, while juniors Logan Parolini with 17 and Jeff VanHolla with 10 all paced the Knights on the evening. Tyler Sundling canned 20 points for the Rockets, while Tony Demars chipped in 13 points in the loss.

“The kids battled all night, being behind most of the game and fighting back to get the win,” said Norway head coach Jeff Gallino. “I am very proud of them for the way they played tonight.”

Rapid River led at the end of every quarter, except at the end of the basketball game, as it finished the regular season at 13-7.

The Rockets open district play on Wednesday as they host Superior Central in the second game of the evening at approximately 7:30 p.m. eastern time. The Rapid River District is a traditional draw with four teams, with all three games being held at Rapid River.

“Hendricks dominated in the post, especially in the second half,” said Gallino. Norway also finishes the season with a 13-7 record, and they’ll open up District play on Monday traveling to face arch rival Iron Mountain at 6 p.m.

“Our record is 0-0 and we’ll get ready and prepare to play Iron Mountain,” said Gallino.

Norway won the JV game to finish 18-2 on the season. Coach Jon Belaire’s squad won the SCC outright with tonight’s win.

Rapid River 15 14 16 9 — 57

Norway 13 14 15 18 — 60

Rapid River — Sundling 20, Moss 9, M. Lenaker 6, DeMars 13, Micheau 9. F: 13; Fouled out: none; FT: 4-7; 3-point field goals: Sundling 1, Moss 3, M. Lenaker 1, Micheau 1. Technical Foul: Sundling.

Norway — Paulitch 7, VanHolla 10, Parolini 17, Hendricks 26. F: 10; Fouled out: none; FT: 12-15; 3-point field goals: VanHolla 1, Parolini 3.