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Boys basketball: Wolves nip Jets to end losing streak

North Central's Griffin Johnson (left) shoots over Carney-Nadeau's Max Baumler (right) Wednesday at Powers. (Austin Hemmingson/The Daily Press)

POWERS — Carney-Nadeau and North Central don’t really like each other.

The Wolves entered Wednesday night’s game looking to end a two-game losing streak against their arch-rival.

In the end, they prevailed 55-53 behind 21 points and 11 rebounds from junior guard Brett LaFord in the Skyline Central Conference match-up.

Carney led 52-44 after a triple from the left wing by Beau Koffman with 1:55 left in the game. But Griffin Johnson responded with a trey for the Jets on the ensuing possession, trimming their deficit to five.

The Jets (11-5, 10-5 SC) chopped the deficit to 52-49 on a putback by Carter Holle with 1:11 remaining. They fouled the rest of way, putting the Wolves on the free throw line to stop the clock. The Wolves shot 3 of 5 from the line during the last 45 seconds, giving the Jets a chance.

Noah Gorzinski drove in for a layup with 21 seconds left to cut Carney’s lead to 55-53. The Jets fouled LaFord on the inbounds and he missed the front end of a one-and-one.

Jets’ coach Mike Malone called timeout to set up a play, but Holle was called for a moving screen with nine seconds to play. However, Johnson stole Carney’s inbounds pass and Cole Timblin fired a three-point attempt that got stuck between the rim and the backboard for a jump ball, giving the Jets one last chance with 2.4 seconds to go.

The Jets called timeout to set up another play but the inbounds pass sailed over Gorzinski’s head into the backcourt and he was forced to put up a prayer from half court that missed wide left.

“I tried drawing up a new play,” Malone said. “But 30 seconds isn’t enough time to draw up a new play against your district rival with the game on the line. That was my fault.”

The Wolves (12-5, 11-3 SC) survived after an excellent second quarter that built them a 29-22 halftime lead.

“In the fourth quarter we started to hold onto the lead instead of attacking,” Wolves’ coach Jacob Polfus said. “We played with energy in the second quarter. We looked fast for the first time in awhile. Our energy level was great. We had a great defensive stop there at the end of the game — we did a nice job switching on the screens. It’s about time we get a win.”

After trailing 22-21 with 5:34 left in the first half, LaFord tripled to start his own personal 8-0 run to close the half.

“i definitely felt the pressure at the beginning,” LaFord said. “We were fired up in the locker room before the game. We were sick of losing our last two games. It always feels special to play here and we don’t like losing to this team. It feels good to get a win.”

This was LaFord’s first time playing point guard.

“I was talking to my dad (assistant coach Paul Polfus) and we decided we need to find more ways to get him the ball,” Jacob Polfus said. “We need our best player to touch the ball. The last few games we put him in the high post, but tonight we moved him to point guard.”

It was a tough loss for the Jets, who have had this game circled on the calendar for awhile.

“We talked about this game for the last three weeks,” Malone said. “Carney is in our way in our district. The guys were pretty disappointed — we wanted this one.

“They did everything I asked them to, with an exception here and there. We missed a couple layups and had our opportunities, but the effort and desire were there.”

This game was a preview of a Division 4 district opener, as these teams will meet again at Powers Feb. 25.

“We have a feel for them now,” LaFord said. “We’ll be more confident next time and we won’t settle at the end when the game is close.”

Riley Corrigan chipped in with 12 points for the Wolves.

Johnson led the Jets with 21 points, while Gorzinski and Brady Eichmeier each had 11.

North Central JV won 55-37.

The Jets visit Norway Friday, while C-N hosts North Dickinson.

Carney-Nadeau 16 13 15 11 — 55

North Central 15 7 18 13 — 53

CARNEY-NADEAU (55): LaFord 21, Corrigan 12, Baumler 9, Koffman 8, Flannigan 5. F: 17; FT: 5-9; Fouled out: Flannigan. 3-point field goals: LaFord 3, Corrigan 3, Koffman 2, Baumler 1, Flannigan 1.

NORTH CENTRAL (53): Johnson 21, Gorzinski 11, B. Eichmeier 11, Holle 4, C. Eichmeier 4, Timblin 2. F: 15; FT: 6-12; Fouled out: None. 3-point field goals: Johnson 5, Gorzinski 1, B. Eichmeier 1.

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