Matt McCarthy/The Daily News Photo FOREST PARK’S KEALL Emmers (right) looks to drive against West Iron County’s Peyton Williams of West Iron Monday night at the Eddie Chambers Memorial Gymnasium in Crystal Falls.

CRYSTAL FALLS — Taking an early lead and not relinquishing it, West Iron County defeated Forest Park 47-35 in non-conference boys basketball Monday evening in the opener for both teams.

“It was a typical cross county rivalry game. It got rough at one point,” said WIC coach Dan Schive.

There was a large crowd in attendance in the Eddie Chambers Memorial Gymnasium for the annual game.

The Wykons led 9-4 after one quarter, and 22-16 at the half. FP had seven players record points on the night, but none got into double figures for first-year head coach Kurt Lehmann.

Justin Nelson got hot in the second half, and ended with a game high 21 points for the Wykons. Peyton Williams added 10 points for WIC. The 16-of-26 the Wykons shot from the free throw line was a difference in the game, Schive noted.

“We’d get out to a lead, and they’d cut it back, which they did a couple of times. In the fourth quarter, we got out to a lead mid-quarter and didn’t look back. It was a fun game,” Schive said. “We have a long way to go, but it’s a good start.”

The Wykons (1-0) travel to Negaunee Thursday night for their West PAC Conference opener. The Trojans (0-1) remain home to host Skyline Central Conference foe Rapid River on the same night.

WIC 9 13 11 14 — 47

FP 4 8 9 10 — 35

FOREST PARK: Johnson 8, Emmers 7, Showers 6, Peltoma 6, Bendick 4, Scarlassara 3, Smithson 1. FT: 5-9. F: 23. Fouled Out: Showers. 3-point FG: Scarlassara, Johnson (2), Emmers.

WEST IRON COUNTY: J. Nelson 21, Williams 10, B. Nelson 8, Dobson 6, Turbessi 2. FT: 16-26. F: 10. Rebounds: 28 (J. Nelson 11) 3-point FG: Williams (2), J. Nelson.