Raining 3’s: Norway glides past North Dickinson

Nordics’ guard Jessica Harwath (10) fires up an open 3-pointer as Knights senior Tory Cooper (13) looks on during Friday’s contest at Norway High school. (Terry Raiche photo)

NORWAY — It was raining 3-pointers on Friday for the Norway girls varsity basketball team as it secured its third consecutive win toppling North Dickinson, 59-27, in a Skyline Central Conference contest at Norway High School.

“I like the direction we are heading,” Knights head coach Brian Adams said. “That’s three wins in a row. … When you win it feels good for the girls and everybody’s happy.

“That’s what we need after losing five games in a row.

“Even in the wins, I thought we looked better. I think we’re playing more aggressively and I like what I see. Hopefully, we can continue it.

Norway (5-6, 2-2) connected on eight 3-pointers in the first half, putting the Nordics (2-8, 1-3) in a tough spot.

Norway sophomore Paytan Carlson (23) drives all the way to the basket for a layup as Nordics freshman Ava Oman (15) tries to block her shot on Friday at Norway High School. (Terry Raiche photo)

“To start off, Norway punched us right off the get go,” Nordics head coach Kirk Mattson said. “They shot the lights out in that first quarter. … So hats off to them. We fell behind right off the get go, but I saw some improvements as far as attacking and ball pressure. We did improve on that.

“We just have to learn to make shots that are there. We missed too many open shots. But, the effort is there. They played hard.”

Nordics senior Mya Grunlund opened the scoring with a layup.

But, it was evident that the Knights’ shooting was on another level as juniors Mary Cavagnetto and Lauren Adams each recorded a 3-pointer in the opening minutes of the first quarter.

Norway sophomore Paytan Carlson joined in on the fun shortly after with a 3-pointer from the right wing and the Knights lead was 9-4.

Norway junior Lauren Adams (3) drives for a layup as North Dickinson senior Mya Grunlund (12) trails on Friday in Norway. (Terry Raiche photo)

North Dickinson sophomore Raina Ledzian drilled a 3-pointer to try and keep pace.

However, Cavagnetto and Lauren Adams each added another three and the Knights took a 20-7 lead into the second quarter.

Nordics sophomore Cami Sleeter opened the scoring in the second with a layup.

“I think (Cami Sleeter) is doing well,” Mattson said. “When she does have positioning, our entry passes have to be a little better. (Sleeter) does a good job. She works hard. She rebounds and she understands the game. She gets good positioning and we’ve got to start learning how to get the ball into her.”

Ledzian scored four points in the quarter, including another 3-pointer, but it wasn’t enough to keep things close and the Knights continued to roll.

Two points from Abby Richter, a three from Lauren Adams and Paytan Carlson helped push them further ahead. Then junior Anna Falk added four points to close the quarter out with Norway ahead 35-13.

For coach Adams, improved ball movement has spurred the Knights success.

“That’s been a huge thing for us,” Coach Adams said about the Knights’ improved ball movement. “One of the biggest problems we had early in the year was we just stood around and watched Lauren (Adams) dribble. That’s not going to work. We need everybody involved. So over Christmas break we changed our offense, specifically to try and get more movement. And I think it’s showing.”

Norway kept its foot on the gas to start the third as Lauren Adams netted six points and Cavagnetto buried a 3-pointer.

However, the Nordics weren’t going to back down.

“The girls kept their heads high, they all played hard,” Mattson said.

Sleeter made a mid range jump shot and Grunlund added a three. But Lauren Adams quickly pushed the lead back to 30-points with back-to-back layups.

In the fourth quarter, both teams began to rotate in players as the Knights secured the 59-27 wing.

“Everybody got valuable minutes, which is important for us,” Mattson said. “We’re young and we’re learning, but it’s back to the drawing board with what we want to do.”

Lauren Adams led all scorers with 24 points.

Norway also received contributions from Richter (7 points), Cavagnetto (11 points), Falk (4 points), Tory Cooper (2 points), Carlson (9 points) and Kara Stanchina (2 points).

Ledzian was North Dickinson’s leading scorer with nine points.

The Nordics also received contributions from Jessica Harwath (2 points), Grunlund (4 points), Ava Oman (5 points), Aubrey Applekamp (3 points) and Sleeter (4 points).

North Dickinson heads to Flivver Gym on Tuesday to face Kingsford at 6:30 p.m.

The Knights head to Crystal Falls today to face the Lady Trojans.

WILDCATS 60, LADYCATS 50

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. — Florence took its talents to Wisconsin Dells, Wis. on Saturday to face the Lena Wildcats in a nonconference matchup.

Despite a 26-point performance from senior Bella Millan, the Ladycats couldn’t keep pace with Lena and lost 60-50 in the JustAGame Fieldhouse.

Florence fell to 12-6 overall and remained 4-2 in Northern Lakes Conference play.

Junior Kamdan Johnson connected on two 3-pointers in the first half while Millan tallied eight points. However, the Ladycats went into the halftime break down 26-20.

Johnson and Millan each added another three in the second half and Vicki Peterson recorded six points, but it wasn’t enough as the Wildcats rolled to the 60-50 win.

Florence finished the game 6 for 11 from the free throw line compared to a 9 for 16 showing from Lena.

Millan’s 26 led all scorers. The Ladycats also received contributions from Johnson (12 points), Peterson (8 points), CeCe Mills (2 points) and Abby Novak (2 points).

Florence welcomes Goodman/Pembine to town today at 6:00 p.m. There will only be a varsity contest.

LADY TROJANS 51, JETS 26

CRYSTAL FALLS — Elsie Williams led a balanced Forest Park scoring attack with 18 points as the host Lady Trojans upended Skyline Central Conference foe North Central 51-26 Friday night for their third consecutive win.

Prior to their winning streak, the Lady Trojans (5-6) hadn’t scored 50 points in any of their games. During their recent run, the Lady Trojans have totaled more than 50 all three times.

Jessie Loehr recorded 12 points, Kaidince Woollard added nine, Vienna Price chipped in with six, Lilly Post contributed five and Tessa Bartoszek sank a free throw.

“It feels good to get three wins this week,” FP coach Kim Bjork said. “You could tell we were a little tired tonight, but we worked through it.”

Forest Park wasted no time taking control, building an 18-5 lead after one quarter.

The Lady Trojans expanded that to 28-13 at the break and 39-18 heading into the fourth.

Loehr grabbed four rebounds and recorded four steals for FP, while Ava Fischer hauled down six rebounds and Lauren Kudwa had four.

Forest Park shared the ball well in the victory.

Williams dished out four assists and Price and Woollard had three each. Charlie Larson finished with four steals, while Price added two.

The Lady Trojans are slated to host Norway (5-6) tonight in a Skyline Central contest at Eddie Chambers Gym.

The Lady Trojans defeated the Knights 47-34 in the first matchup on Dec. 12.

Daily News sports writer Jerry DeRoche contributed to this report.