Justin St. Ours/Escanaba Daily Press Photo Forest Park’s Tommy Showers shoots against Carney-Nadeau’s Brett LaFord (behind) Monday during the Division 4 district opener at Carney. Looking on for Carney is Max Baumler (30).

POWERS — The North Central boys started quickly and Republic-Michigamme couldn’t keep pace here Monday night as the Jets rolled to an 82-46 victory in a Division 4 district opener.

North Central (15-6) visits North Dickinson (4-16) Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Hawks finished 3-18.

The Jets raced to a 23-10 lead after the first quarter, then made it 26-10 on a 21-foot jump shot from the left wing by junior Wyatt Riley in the opening moments of the second.

“We noticed on film they could execute their half-court offense very well,” said Jets coach Mike Malone. “One of our goals was to push the pace and our press got some of the energy going. We forced them into situations where they weren’t comfortable. We have the horses. We can run with the best of them. Offensively, we played real good basketball.”

The Hawks responded with a 7-2 run, trimming their deficit to 28-17 midway through the second stanza.

North Central then outscored the Hawks 15-4 through the remainder of the second, taking a 43-21 advantage on a layup by junior guard Ian Gorzinski.

The third frame offered more of the same as the Jets quickly added eight points and soared to an insurmountable 52-21 cushion on a steal and layup by senior Cole Timblin.

North Central drained 12 3-point shots, including nine in the first half.

“That will do it to you,” said Hawks first-year coach Cody Carlson. “North Central is a very good team. They’re quick and fundamentally sound. I’m impressed with coach Malone and his staff and the job they do. The basketball culture is unreal here.”

Senior guard Noah Gorzinski, who sank six trifectas, led the Jets with 28 points. Freshman guard Luke Gorzinski added 15 and sophomore Trenton Naser, who entered the game in the fourth frame, chipped in eight points. Junior forward Carter Eichmeier also had eight points.

“The difference was our shooting,” said Malone. “This is the best shooting game we had all year. Their big guy is formidable (junior forward Eli Luokkala). He’s a good ball player for sure.”

Luokkala, who hit 10-of-12 free throws, led the Hawks with 31 points.

“Eli has been pretty consistent with his play,” said Carlson. “He’s such a good kid and he puts so much time into his game. What’s interesting is I’m a young coach (age 22) and I’ve known the guys since they’ve started to walk. I really enjoyed spending time with them this year. For a majority of the second quarter and into the third, we weren’t out of it. I’m proud of the way the kids fought.”

The Hawks committed 21 turnovers and the Jets had 11.

Rep.-Mich 10 11 12 13 — 46

N. Central 23 22 17 20 — 82

Republic-Michigamme: Luokkala 31, Dupont 2, Boshears 7, Hanninen 4, Kaleb Conklin 2. FT: 17-26; F: 15; Fouled out: Kolin Conklin; 3-point field goal: Luokkala.

North Central: Tietz 2, Gronmark 2, A. Naser 3, I. Gorzinski 2, Timblin 4, N. Gorzinski 28, Riley 3, L. Gorzinski 15, Eichmeier 8, Florenski 3, Casperson 2, T. Naser 8, Anderson 2. FT: 8-15; F: 21; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: N. Gorzinski 6, L. Gorzinski 2, Eichmeier 2, A. Naser, Riley.