Matt McCarthy/The Daily News Photo FLORENCE’S KADEN SCHULS drives past Norway’s Jeff Van Holla as Florence’s head coach Brian Bomberg watches during Thursday’s non-conference boys basketball game.

NORWAY — A dominant force in the low post was the main factor, as Norway senior center Kody Hendricks canned 30 points and Norway defeated Florence 71-49 in non-conference boys basketball Thursday in the first game between the two schools since 1974.

The first two minutes of the game, was a bit slow, as both teams seemed to be feeling out one another. From there, Norway got their transition game going, getting out to a 7-0 lead before anyone could blink twice.

Using a three-quarter court press to ignite their transition game early on, the Knights forced a couple Bobcats’ turnovers which were turned into Norway points.

Hendricks, who scored 10 points in each of the first two quarters, was drawing double or even triple coverage from the Bobcats any time he got near the basket, throughout most of the game.

“We did very well defensively, moving and being very active. I am very pleased and proud with everyone’s effort tonight,” said Norway coach Jeff Gallino. “Kody was on it tonight. He was drop-stepping and using his size to his advantage. I couldn’t be more proud of him as well.”

Norway had two other scorers in double figures in the game, juniors Logan Parolini and Gannon Bray. Parolini netted 20 points, while Bray came off the bench and added 10 points at key times. Gallino noted that Bray had a great game coming in off the bench.

In the second half, Norway’s speed in transition and efficiency in its half court offense kept the lead well into double figures throughout the half.

Kaden Schuls led the Bobcats with 24 points. Florence was playing without its tallest player, 6-foot-2 sophomore Preston Stoltz, who missed the game due to injury. With that being said, on top of how dominant Hendricks was in the low post, the Bobcats had no defensive answer for the Norway center.

“Norway came out and they were aggressive right away defensively, they’re a great defensive basketball team and we didn’t respond well to it,” said Florence head coach Bryan Bomberg. “Norway took us out of our usual game. They were prepared and ready for us tonight. We need to be tougher mentally and physically going forward.”

The Knights, who are halfway through a four-game homestand, improve to 6-3 on the season. They return to Skyline Central Conference action Monday, hosting Bark River-Harris.

Florence, who falls to 8-3 on the season, hosts White Lake Monday night in a Northern Lakes Conference makeup game, with a 5:45 tip off. It’s the first game of a varsity doubleheader, with the Bobcats girls team playing after the completion of the boys contest.

In the JV game, Nolan Amundson led all scorers with 20 points for Norway, as they defeated the Bobcats 45-19. Norway JV’s and coach Jon Belaire improve to 9-0 on the season.

The only other two meetings between these two teams on record were played in 1972-73 and the aforementioned 1973-74 season(s).

In the 1972-73 game, which was played at Florence, Mark Bray of Norway led all scores as the Knights defeated Florence 70-48. John Gallino added 10 points for Norway, while the Bobcats were led in scoring by Dick Footer with 12 points and Doug Smith adding 10 points.

The 1973-74 game, played at Norway, was won going away by Norway 81-38. Lenny Ball canned 20 points for the Knights to lead all scorers. Scott Adams netted 14 points for the Knights, while Jeff Van Gothem added 10. David Gribble led the Bobcats with 10 points in the losing effort.

Florence 9 14 6 20 — 49

Norway 17 23 19 12 — 71

FLORENCE: Johnson 6, Boettcher 8, Hixon 7, Patrick Millan 4, Schuls 24. FT: 7-7. F: 8. 3-point FG: Schuls, Hixon, Johnson (2). Boettcher (2).

NORWAY: Paulitch 2, Seat 6, Bray 10, Hendricks 30, Van Holla 1, Parolini 20, Gaus 2. FT: 10-14. F: 11. 3-point FG: Seat, Bray (2), Parolini (2). Fouled Out: None.