Trending
NORWAY -- After six games, the North Central Jets boys basketball team (6-0) remains undefeated as they beat the Norway Knights (2-2) 57-44 Monday night in Norway.
"We defended pretty well in the half court," said Jets coach Mike Malone. "Rebounded well at times and poorly at other times. We shot a pretty good percentage from the field in the first half, got up early and played with the lead for the entire game."
It wasn't smooth sailing, however, as several of the Jets starters found themselves in foul trouble earlier. Malone commended his bench for stepping up and performing.
"Some of my guys got in foul trouble early, and the bench stepped up big," he said.
Conner Florenski had 20 points for the Jets and Collin Cordy 20.
On top of them, Malone noted efforts from multiple players as bright spots in the game.
"One thing you don't see in this book is the intangibles," he said. "Though he didn't score a point, Jesse Sampson played a great hustle game, had a lot of assists, a lot of rebounds, and set some really good screens to free guys up.
"Bryson (Mercier) and Collin really stepped up in the first half coming off the bench and giving us scoring. Trenton (Naser) and Carter (Tietz) both played great games defensively on Ortman, holding him in check as best they could."
While happy with the win, the goal to peak in March has not changed for the Jets.
"All around, I'll take the win," Malone said. "But, we have lots of weaknesses to shore up before March."
The Jets play tonight at home as they host the Stephenson Eagles.
North Central 14 20 12 11 -- 57
Norway 5 15 9 15 -- 44
North Central -- Florenski 20, Cordy 13, Mercier 9, Anderson 7, Gorzinski 6, Naser 2; FT: 11-16; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Mercier 3, Anderson 2.
Norway -- Ortman 25, Peterson 13, Ochs 5, Carlson 1; FT: 9-22; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Ortman 2, Ochs.