SPALDING — Sometimes, despite your best effort, there’s a chance you still might come up short.

That pretty much sums up what happened here Wednesday night as the Powers North Central boys fell to top-ranked Crystal Falls Forest Park 80-38 in a Division 4 district semifinal basketball game.

The victory enables the Trojans (18-4) to host Norway (14-9) in tonight’s title contest at 6 p.m. (CST). The Jets finished 9-13.

Ball security was a high priority in this contest as the teams combined for just 14 turnovers, including nine by North Central.

“To do that against a team with a team of their caliber is pretty good,” Jets’ coach Jon Haight said. “They put a lot of pressure on you. To get a rebound against a team with their athleticism is a challenge and they all can shoot. I thought we played well, only our shots weren’t falling. That’s a tremendous basketball team. We just ran into a buzzsaw.”

Forest Park, which has no seniors on its roster, gained a 19-5 lead on a 20-foot jump shot by junior Izaiah Tarter with three seconds left in the first quarter.

The Trojans continued to run the floor with authority, lengthening their lead to 26-8 on a layup by junior Dax Huuki midway through the second stanza.

North Central shaved its deficit to 30-15 less than three minutes before halftime and trailed 39-18 despite a 23-foot jumper from the left wing by senior guard Ben Stage moments before the intermission.

“Our guys moved the ball well tonight,” Forest Park coach Jason Price said. “This is a very unselfish group of guys. They can get up and down the court. I thought we rebounded well. We were taking two extra passes per possession and getting into the paint.”

The Trojans opened the third frame with an 11-3 run, extending their lead to 50-21 on a 21-foot jumper by Huuki.

Forest Park led 63-35 after the third and outscored the Jets 17-3 in the fourth.

“They couldn’t miss much of the second quarter and well into the third,” Haight said. “That’s normal for them. They love to play. I like our guys, too. We have to give credit to our guys. They played great in the first district game (in a 71-38 triumph over Carney-Nadeau) and their best basketball at the end of the season.”

The Jets played without senior guard Brody Mercier, who was out with a torn ACL.

“It’s tough to play without a senior leader like Brody, and it’s a tough way for him to end the season,” Haight said.

Forest Park scored four in double digits. Huuki led the way with 20 points. Freshman Lyle Price added 15. Junior Vic Guiliani and Tarter tallied 13 each. Senior Brady Trudgeon paced the Jets with 13 points and junior Kaden Malone finished with eight.

“Jon’s a great coach,” Haight said. “North Central always plays hard. Playing against your brothers in the (Skyline Central) conference can be a challenge.”

Forest Park 19 20 24 17 — 80

North Central 5 13 17 3 — 38

Crystal Falls Forest Park — Koga 6, Haggland 7, Huuki 20, Tarter 13, Price 15, Guiliani 13, Brzoznowski 4. FT: 3-7; F: 11; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Price 3, Huuki 2, Tarter 2, Haggland, Guiliani.

Powers North Central — Cretens 2, Stage 6, Pipkorn 2, Trudgeon 13, Malone 8, Castle 7. FT: 5-9; F: 10; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Trudgeon 3, Stage 2, Malone 2.