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Girls basketball: Norway stifles North Central, 56-49

Norway's Ada VanHolla (33) attempts to outrace North Central's Delaney Smith (21) on Wednesday in Norway. (Burt Angeli/The Daily News)

NORWAY — Haley Clifford and the now reasonably healthy Norway Knights ended a 10-game losing streak Wednesday.

Clifford’s game-high 22 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, lifted the Knights past North Central 56-49 in Skyline Central Conference girls basketball.

“We needed this,” said a relieved Norway coach Joe Tinti. “It’s been awhile.

“We’re back at full strength other than Holly (Mattia with a knee injury). This is the team tonight that I always thought we could have. I’m so proud of the girls.”

North Central (8-3, 2-1) jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first four minutes and gained a 30-21 halftime lead after Delaney Smith’s buzzer-beating triple. The Jets hit seven of their 10 three-pointers in the first half.

“We didn’t hit the outside shot as often as we did in the first half,” said NC Coach Lee Vincent. “We did rush the ball a few times but they played really well. They played great defense against us. We don’t have much height or strength and they outrebounded us big time.”

The teams were knotted at 42 with five minutes left in the game. The Knights (3-11, 3-11) then went on an 11-2 run over the next four minutes.

Clifford connected on six free throws in the final two minutes while Danae Anderson and Ada VanHolla, both back from injury, also connected from the line.

“Haley had an awesome night but everyone chipped in

and hit some big shots,” said Tinti, noting seven of his eight Knights scored in the game. “For one of the first times this year the girls smelled a little blood in the water and they just worked hard.”

VanHolla tacked on 10 points for the Knights and senior Mariah Gyselinck had nine including a triple late in the third quarter to put the Knights ahead 37-34.

Chloe Wells paced the Jets with 14 points and Jadie Linder had 12. Sophomore Andie Arsenault, who torched the Knights for 30 points in a 53-41 mid-January outcome, wound up with eight against the Knights’ 1-3-1 and 2-3 zones.

“We were trying to spy on her and we really limited her,” Tinti said of defending Arsenault. “I thought it was going to be a long night when she came out and hit her first two three-pointers.

“That North Central team is very good and they’ve been getting better all year.”

Norway converted 17 of 21 free throws while North Central made 4 of 9. The Jets had 22 turnovers to 15 for the Knights.

“Those free throws pretty much won the game and Clifford played really well,” Vincent said. “We were a little out of sync and these snow days with no practice didn’t help us any. We have to get back in the swing. Other than that they outplayed us.”

Tinti and assistant Kevin Kangas saw intense practice sessions prior to knocking off the Jets.

“I’m pretty confident this is the team we’re going to see from here on out,” Tinti said. “Our girls had fun tonight and worked hard.”

The Jets are scheduled to host Stephenson tonight and travel to Carney on Saturday. The Knights have postponed tonight’s game with Mid Peninsula and will return to action Monday at Bark River-Harris.

Jaiden Fleetwood’s 15 points led North Central’s junior varsity past Norway 37-24. Cadeance Lindsley had nine for the Knights.

North Central 12 18 7 12 — 49

Norway 8 13 18 17 — 56

NORTH CENTRAL (49): B. Arsenault 6, A. Arsenault 8, Smith 6, Poupore 3, Linder 12, Wells 14. FT: 4-9. F: 17. 3PT: B. Arsenault 2, A. Arsenault 2, Smith 2, Poupore 1, Linder 2, Wells 1.

NORWAY (56): Anderson 5, H. Clifford 22, Hosking 4, K. Gyselinck 4, M. Clifford 2, M. Gyselinck 9, VanHolla 10. FT: 17-22. F: 15 (M. Clifford fouled out). 3PT: H. Clifford 2, M. Gyselinck 1.

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