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RAPID RIVER -- The fifth-ranked Norway boys proved a tough match-up for Rapid River here Thursday night, handing the Rockets a 65-29 basketball loss.
Norway, running the floor with authority and collecting numerous steals, raced to a 21-3 lead after the first quarter of this Skyline Central Conference outing.
Rapid River, playing without two starters, committed 16 of its 23 turnovers against Norway's full and half-court pressure defense in the first half.
"I thought our press was pretty effective," said Norway coach Jeff Galino. "Michael (Peterson) had quite a few deflections on top of our press. We've been working on our half-court defense, hoping to get it fine-tuned by (Division 4) districts. We realized they were a little shorthanded. In a week from now, it will be a different story."
The Rockets, who travel to Norway for a rematch March 4, played without senior guard Rease Dawley who was nursing a sore knee and junior forward Kodey Goldi didn't play due to a sore back. Also sidelined was senior Damyn Smith.
"We told the kids we didn't want anybody to quit no matter what the score was," said Rockets' coach Hayden Hardwick. "They played hard all night, and we're proud of them for that. Having three guys out kind of put a kink into things."
Junior Nick Nelson scored Rapid River's first three points on a jump shot from the left corner midway through the first quarter.
Rapid River trailed 32-10 following a putback by junior Texas Cambron late in the second quarter.
The Knights were up 34-10 at halftime and 42-11 following a steal and layup by sophomore Alex Ortman midway through the third frame.
"I thought we did better on our defensive rebounds tonight," said Galino. "I thought we also did a good job in transition, which got us some easy baskets."
Norway senior Nolan Amundson hit all six of his free throws and scored 24 points, and Ortman added 15. The Knights finished with 12 turnovers.
Junior Ian Sundling, who went 5-of-5 from the free throw line, led the Rockets with 10 points.
"We didn't shoot the best," said Hardwick. "We took only 40 shots, although you don't take a lot of shots when you're trying to slow the pace."
Rapid River, which also dropped the JV game 56-39, hosts Carney-Nadeau Monday. Norway visits third-ranked Munising Tuesday.
Norway 21 13 18 13 -- 65
Rapid River 3 7 6 13 -- 29
Norway -- Ortman 15, Dishaw 6, Amundson 24, Peterson 6, Allison 2, Neuens 3, Ochs 4, Popp 3, Spade 2. FT: 6-7; F: 10; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Amundson 2, Ortman 2, Neuens.
Rapid River -- Sundling 10, McCarty 3, Belongia 3, Cambron 3, S. Nelson 2, N. Nelson 3, Lundquist 2, Christoff 3. FT: 6-7; F: 9; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Sundling, McCarty, Belongia, N. Nelson.