(Matt McCarthy/Daily News photo) Norway’s Jeff VanHolla (12) makes a move towards the basket as Menominee’s Brody Waara (14) defends, in a MHSAA Division 3 District game in Norway on Thursday night. Menominee defeated Norway 60-39.

NORWAY — Menominee’s first MHSAA tournament boys basketball game as a Division 3 school was a successful one as the Maroons cruised past Norway 60-39 in a first-round contest, led by junior center Cooper Conway’s 22 points Tuesday.

The host Knights got on the scoreboard first as Logan Parolini drained a three-pointer to give Norway an early lead. From there, the Maroons took over.

Menominee went on a 10-0 scoring run to take a seven-point lead at the 2:54 mark of the first stanza. From the early going, Menominee broke out their aggressive half-court man-to-man defense.

“From watching them on film, we knew that they had really good half-court defense,” said Norway head coach Jeff Gallino. “With the athletic players that they have, their defense was strong like we expected.”

Norway used a zone defense throughout most of the game. In the second quarter, they held the Maroons to only four points on two Conway baskets. However, the Knights managed only five points of their own.

With an eight-point lead at the intermission, Menominee turned up the heat in the third.

“We make it a point to come out and start strong and fast in any half. It’s something we’ve focused on all season,” said Menominee head coach Sam Larson.

After an early Knights basket, the Maroons enjoyed a 9-0 run.

Larson felt the Maroons were in somewhat of a funk in the first half, when the majority of their turnovers were committed. The Knights weren’t able to capitalize.

“We didn’t come away with many points off turnovers,” said Gallino. “We missed too many bunnies and shots in transition.”

Menominee, who had spent a good portion of the game working the ball inside to Conway, began firing from 3-point range in the latter part of the third quarter, extending their lead.

“We got out-rebounded tonight by a ton, but the kids’ effort and compete level was there,” Gallino added. “I thought we handled their defensive pressure well at times. We had their lead down to six points right before halftime.”

Despite the Maroons trying to push the tempo, the pace of the first half wasn’t what Menominee is accustomed to, Larson noted.

“The pace was very slow in the first half. We mixed things up in the second half, with outside looks and working the ball inside as well,” Larson said. “We like to play faster than that usually.”

The Maroons, who improved to 8-4 on the season, were the No. 5-ranked team in Division 1-3 in the final Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association U.P. poll of the season.

Menominee will host Bark River-Harris (16-1) on Thursday. The Broncos cruised past Manistique 60-35 Tuesday night.

Norway, who finished the season at 8-7, were led by Parolini’s 19 points.

Aiden Bellisle chipped in 10 for the Maroons.

“I am proud of each and every one of our seniors. They worked hard all year,” Gallino said.

Menominee 16 4 19 21 — 60

Norway 7 5 6 21 — 39

MENOMINEE: Starzynski 6, Badker 2, Waara 8, Bellisle 10, Schultz 6, Conway 22, Coduti 3, Theuerkauf 3; FT: 3-6; F: 12; 3-point FG: Waara 2, Conway, Theuerkauf, Coduti; Fouled Out: None.

NORWAY: Amundson 4, Seat 4, Bray 4, VanHolla 8, Parolini 19; FT: 2-5; F: 8; Fouled Out: None; 3-point FG: Parolini 3.