SPALDING — The Powers North Central girls hope to realize their potential during this basketball season.

They may not be there yet, but the Jets showed signs they could be heading in the direction they want despite dropping a 41-32 decision to Iron Mountain in a season-opener here Monday night.

“We definitely have a lot of potential this year,” Jets’ coach Brooke Granquist said. “We felt we played the best first half to start the year in quite a while. They’re rebounding well. Now, it’s mostly a matter of improving all the little things.”

Iron Mountain, with no seniors on its team, followed a deliberate approach and led 23-17 at halftime.

“We’re a little young,” Mountaineers’ coach Chad Lindeman said. “We had three sophomores and a freshman starting. We had to slow the game down. We wanted to stop them from scoring fast. Getting the W is all that matters right now.”

The Jets shaved their deficit to 23-19 on a running eight-foot jump shot by senior Dayln Otradovec early in the third quarter of this non-conference contest.

Iron Mountain responded with a 7-0 run, gaining a 30-19 cushion on an eight-foot set shot by sophomore Olivia Geneva midway through the third.

Geneva split a pair of free throws in the closing moments of the third to give the Mountaineers a 33-22 advantage.

The Jets didn’t just go away, however.

Sophomore Addy Otradovec scored on a putback and Dalyn Otradovec drained a 22-foot jumper to bring the Jets within 33-27.

Junior Alysia Wood put Iron Mountain up by seven points by splitting a pair of gifters with 4:23 left in the contest.

With less than three minutes remaining, freshman Autumn Triest sank a jumper from top of the key to bring North Central within 34-30.

The Jets were still within 36-32 in the final two minutes before the Mountaineers secured the decision with five unanswered points.

“They tried to press and we actually handled it pretty good,” Lindeman said.

Iron Mountain hit 10-of-14 free throws and North Central finished 6-of-11 from the line.

“The girls kept playing tough,” Granquist said. “We wanted to get into the passing lanes. They did everything they were supposed to do. It’s also a matter of making sure of where we’re at. We need to finish inside.”

Wood led all scorers with 22 points and Geneva added 10 for Iron Mountain. Dalyn Otradovec paced the Jets with 12 and Addy Otradovec had 10.

The Jets, who visited Stephenson Tuesday, travel to Munising Thursday. The Mountaineers host Gladstone Thursday.

Iron Mountain 11 12 10 8 — 41

North Central 9 8 5 10 — 32

Iron Mountain — Wood 22, Sampoll-Torres 8, Geneva 10, Jayne 1. FT: 10-14; F: 12; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Wood 4, Geneva.

Powers North Central — A. Otradovec 10, D. Otradovec 12, Triest 8, Willa 2. FT: 6-11; F: 14; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: D. Otradovec, Triest.