POWERS — The North Central Jets (0-1) girls’ basketball team came up short in their season opener Monday night in Powers as the Forest Park Trojans (1-0) snuck out a 36-32 win.

“We played tough,” said Jets coach Dave Florenski. ” What I appreciated is we played aggressively smart. We were able to play really good defense without fouling.

“We played with composure, and I was really proud of them.”

Heading into the game, one of the major concerns for the Jets was free throws Florenski said, and that’s where he felt they came up short going 9-24 from the line.

“Both teams were playing hard, aggressive, man-to-man defense,” he commented. “We were able to get into the bonus in the fourth quarter, we just couldn’t make the free throws.”

While Gracie Kleikamp led the team in points with 12, Florenski said it was an all-around team performance.

“It was a team effort tonight, it really was,” he said. “Everyone really contributed.”

The Jets head to Rapid River to face the Rockets on Thursday.

Forest Park 8 9 8 11 — 36

North Central 9 10 4 9 — 32

Forest Park — Steien 12, Jacobsen 11, Kudwa 11, Larson 2; FT: 6-16; Fouled out: None.

North Central — Kliekamp 12, LaCoursier 7, Burton 6, Smith 6, LaBonte 1; FT: 9-24; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Kleikamp.