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Knights beat Emeralds

MPC Boys Basketball

Adam Niemi/Iron Mountain Daily News Norway’s Justin Bal drives to the basket against Manistique on Friday in Norway.

NORWAY — It took a while, but the Norway Knights’ offense finally churned into gear in the second half in a 55-26 win against Manistique on Friday.

The first half wasn’t much to be proud of for either team, as turnovers and poor shooting resulted in low scoring and running up and down the court. The Knights led 8-4 after the first quarter and carried a 19-13 lead into halftime.

“I think in the first half, we settled for the outside shot too much,” Norway coach Ben Leiker said. “We were 1 for 10 from the three-point line in the first half without even trying to go inside, so I was a little disappointed in our shot selection. In the second half, our shot selection was a lot better and our defensive pressure was a lot better.”

Norway, which favors a lot of post play and scoring points near the rim, failed to make a free throw in the first half and shot fewer attempts than Manistique for the game.

“We were 0 for 8 in the first half and we ended up 5 for 13,” Leiker said. “That’s not very good and they didn’t shoot the ball very well from the free throw line either. I don’t like that we shot 13 free throw attempts and they shot 16. That’s a stat we would like to win. Again, that shows we were probably taking too many outside shots and not going inside.”

The Knights came with more urgency and intensity in the second half. Norway used the transition and fast break to help pile 25 points in the quarter while holding Manistique (1-7) to eight.

“It wasn’t a great effort,” Manistique coach Ed Marietti said. “That first half for both of us was just lousy shooting from the free throw line and everywhere else. We didn’t improve in the second half and they started getting layups. They just kept steamrolling and we kept throwing the ball away down here.”

The Emeralds’ defense was good, but the offense was a let-down.

“I was happy with holding them to 55,” Marietti said. “But only scoring 26, that’s pathetic.”

Connor Ortman notched a double-double with a game-high 16 points and 11 rebounds. Micah Wilson added 12 points and Justin Bal chipped in 10.

Colton Hoholik led the Emeralds with eight points.

Leiker said the Knights’ slow start might have come from having big heads being an undefeated team against a one-win team, but Manistique played stout.

“I think maybe we think we’re better than we are,” Leiker said. “Manistique’s record is bad but they’re always a tough team and Ed does a phenomenal job with what he has there. It’s basketball, you can lose any game to anybody.”

It was Leiker’s first game back after a five-game suspension for a non-school related incident. School officials had previously declined comment and Leiker declined to comment after the game about the suspension but said he was glad to be back on the bench. Junior varsity coach Jeff Gallino filled in as varsity coach during Leiker’s absence.

“We prepared just like if I was here,” Leiker said. “The only difference is I didn’t have a very good seat.”

Norway plays at North Dickinson on Monday.

Manistique JV won in overtime.

Manistique 4 9 8 5 — 26

Norway 8 11 25 11 — 55

MANISTIQUE: Hoholik 8, Nichols 4, Armock 4, Smith 3, Arnold 2, Seeley 2. FT: 6-16. F: 15. FG: 10-44. 3PT: 2-12 (Hoholik 1, Smith 1). Rebounds: 30. Turnovers: 16.

NORWAY: Ortman 16, Wilson 12, Bal 10, Plante 8, Boulden 4, Evosevich 3, Broden 2. FT: 5-13. F: 12. FG: 24-53. 3PT: 2-12 (Bal 2). Rebounds: 42 (Ortman 11). Turnovers: 10.

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