Ron Deuter/The Daily News Photo Menominee’s Emma Anderson puts up a shot over Kingsford defenders Ali Doolittle (13) and Maggie Strehlow (23) during Friday’s Great Northern Conference basketball game.

KINGSFORD — Undefeated Menominee, ranked No. 1 in the U.P., remained as such Friday night after cruising past Kingsford 56-26 in Great Northern Conference action.

Junior center Emma Anderson of the Maroons led all scorers with 21 points.

In the first quarter, both teams came out in man-to -man defense. The Flivvers played with energy and sank some shots, while the Maroons were a bit too fast and were rushing their offense. Menominee held a single-point lead as the quarter ended.

As the second quarter began, Menominee began to shoot like they’re accustomed to. They created many of those baskets out of their half court offense, with fluent ball movement all around the key to find the best shot. Also using “inside-outside” passes to find the best shot on a given time down the court, which they did throughout the game.

Outscoring the Flivvers 21-6 in the period, the Maroons took a double digit lead into the halftime locker room and never looked back from there.

Menominee head coach Lucas Chouinard said the key to his team’s half court offense is their unselfishness.

“The girls have the team first mentality, who ever it is that’s going to get the best shot, is the person everyone wants to have the ball,” he said.

Chouinard went on to note that the team realizes that Anderson is usually the focal point of the offense, like she was Friday night. Anderson uses her size to her advantage, but she’s also able to shoot from the outside, while also seeing the court extremely well in transition and half- court sets.

The Maroons, who improve to 12-0 on the season, remain ranked No. 1 in the U.P.S.S.A. Division 1-3 poll for the third week in a row.

“You can tell that they’re undefeated, they move the ball so well and kept us on our toes throughout the game,” said Kingsford head coach Lisa Harry. “They are very well balanced, and can score from inside and out.”

Harry also noted that her girls’ frustration and anxiousness from playing from behind, seemed to rattle the team.

“We were also forcing passes and shots that didn’t seem to be ideal,” she said.

In the second half, the Maroons’ ball movement and great shooting continued, which extended their lead even more. Rebounding was also a factor in the ball game, with Menominee holding a 34-24 advantage on the glass.

The huge difference in the ball game was field goal percentage, with the Maroons shooting 44% from the floor, while Kingsford struggled, shooting 12% on the night.

Kingsford was led in scoring by Brooke Kriegl with seven points.

“We knew we needed to contain Kriegl, and not let her penetrate into the paint where she’s most effective,” said Chouinard. “We walled her off, also to not let her get easy three point attempts as well.”

Menominee remains on the road in conference play, visiting Gladstone on Tuesday night. The Flivvers travel to area foe North Dickinson on the same night. Kingsford (3-7) gave the 10-1 Nordics their only loss of the season back on Dec. 3 to open the season.

The JV contest saw the Flivvers defeat Menominee 48-28. Abby Terrian of Kingsford and the Maroons’ Makayla Sinks each scored nine points to lead their teams.

Menominee 10 21 13 12 — 56

Kingsford 9 6 5 6 — 26

MENOMINEE: Hofer 6, Doyle 3, Barrette 6, Neret 7, Nolde 7, Anderson 21, Olson 4, Caley-Nelson 2. FT: 2-4 F: 18. 3-point FG Neret, Anderson (2), Nolde (2). Rebounds: 34 (Anderson 8, Olson 6.) FO:: None.

KINGSFORD: Kriegl 7, Cook 6, Doolittle 2, Glodowski 2, Strehlow 5, Petschar 1, Mitchell 3. FT: 13-22. F: 8. 3-point FG: Kriegl. Rebounds: 24 (Strehlow 6). FO: None. Technical: Bench-Illegal Substitution.