BREE ARSENAULT (14) DRIBBLES through traffic on Saturday afternoon against arch rival Carney-Nadeau. C-N Giselle Laurila approaches Arsenault as teammate Sandra Boulton trails the play. Jaiden Fleetwood (10) of North Central also trails the play.

POWERS — Often times in a basketball game, the team that has a significant height advantage has an increased chance of winning.

Behind a game-high 16 points each from post players Sandra Boulton and Tessa Wagner, Carney-Nadeau cruised past arch rival North Central 54-38 here on Saturday afternoon.

The Skyline Central Conference matchup was a makeup game from Feb. 10. With the win over the host Jets, the Wolves improved to 15-3 on the season, winning their 14th game in a row in the process.

Alex Neville led the Jets with 15 points, with Bree Arsenault chipping in nine points for the Jets, who slipped to 11-7.

Carney-Nadeau head coach Ken Linder noted that this was the Wolves’ third game of the week, which may have accounted for their slow start.

“I was upset by our slow start, especially with not getting the ball inside to our post players, that’s been our identity throughout the season,” Linder said.

The Wolves also used crisp ball movement and passing, both in half court sets and in full court transition. Not only their guards, but the whole team was seeing the floor very well, finding the open teammate as they moved down the court.

North Central, who suited up only seven players, was missing Andie Arsenault (illness) again. She’s missed the last few games noted Jets head coach Lee Vincent, while also noting that Jaiden Fleetwood injured her elbow early in the game and didn’t return to the lineup.

The Jets struggled offensively off and on, which may have been affected by the tight defense the Wolves played in half court sets.

“We did get into our transition game in the fourth quarter, which is something we’re good at as well,” Linder said. “The amount of turnovers we had today, is uncharacteristic of us, we’ll have to clean that up. Maybe it was the Saturday game that threw us off today, or being our third game of the week, either way we got the win.”

“Their post players hurt us today. We knew how we needed to play against them, we didn’t do it good enough,” Said Vincent.

“When a 5-7 girl is guarding a 6-3 girl, it’s very tough going.”

Vincent noted how well he thought Neville played in the basketball game.

“She was our top scorer and rebounder. Plus, we turned the ball over less than we usually do and I am happy about that. I am proud of the girls, they got tired, but they played hard,” said Vincent.

Both teams return to SCC action on Monday night, with the Jets making the short trip to rival Bark River-Harris. Carney- Nadeau remains on the road, traveling to Superior Central. These teams play one another to begin MHSAA District play on Monday March 2, at Carney-Nadeau.

C-N’s last loss was Dec. 20 at North Dickinson, with the two teams playing one another again on Thursday at Carney.

The Jets won the JV contest 38-26. Katelyn Whitens netted 18 points for NC, while Shae Linder led the Wolves with eight points.

Carney-Nadeau 5 16 9 24 — 54

North Central 3 9 10 16 — 38

CARNEY-NADEAU: Boulton 16, Charlier 6, Laurila 7, Poupore 2, Ernest 2, Kedsch 4, LaLonde 1, Wagner 16. FT: 5-15. F: 19. Fouled Out: Wagner. 3-point FG: Laurila.

NORTH CENTRAL: Neville 15, B. Arsenault 9, Webber 8, Pavlat 3, Eichhorn 2, Hundsrucker 1. FT: 16-26. F: 13. Fouled Out: None. 3-point FG: Webber, B. Arsenault. Rebounds 14 (Neville 5).