(Matt McCarthy/Daily News photo) West Iron center Justin Nelson (12) prepares to work the ball inside in the second half, as he’s guarded by Iron Mountain’s Jurgen Kleiman (44), in an MHSAA Division 3 District semi final game, Thursday night at the Mountaineer Gymnasium.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Familiar foes faced one another in a MHSAA Division 3 boys basketball district semifinal game Thursday night. Foster Wonders led all scorers with 31 points for Iron Mountain, as they cruised past shorthanded West Iron County, 76-31.

The Mountaineers took control in the early going and never looked back. The Wykons and head coach Dan Schive, who has decided to step down from his position, were missing several players for varying reasons.

With the outcome of the game already not in question, the midway point of the second stanza had a milestone occur.

Wonders, needing 16 points to break former teammate Marcus Johnson’s school scoring record of 2,076 points, got his 17th point of the contest as he drained a baseline jumper in front of the door to the visitors locker room.

Iron Mountain head coach Harvey “Bucky” Johnson called a timeout as Wonders was recognized by the crowd with IMHS athletic director Donny Bianco informing those in attendance of Wonders surpassing the career milestone.

“As hard as Foster has worked at the game, for as long as he has and for as many hours as he’s spent in the gym, this is no surprise and he deserves the praise,” Johnson stated. “It was pretty special for him and I am proud of him.”

Iron Mountain used a 3/4-court press for portions of the first half, which had the visiting Wykons reeling and turning the ball over.

With the Mountaineers having the game well in hand, and Wonders had 26 points by the intermission, West Iron continued playing hard, and worked their offense in the second half.

Seniors Justin Nelson and Nathan Thomson each scored 13 points to lead the Wykons. Ricky Brown chipped in 12 for Iron Mountain, all coming from four trifectas.

“We didn’t know for sure until they (WIC) arrived, that they were going to be down four players and two starters,” said Johnson. “We took care of business, we prepared well this week and applied our game plan right from the get go, especially with 27 points in the first quarter.”

With the loss, Schive and the Wykons finished the season at 10-8. “This was a great group of kids. We had no problems with any kids, and I had no problems with any parents this season,” Schive said. “We had a good time with one another this season.”

“We knew Iron Mountain was going to be a good team, before the season started,” he continued. “We worked hard all season and we fought the best we could against a better team tonight.”

After 11 seasons as head coach, in part of 32 seasons as a paid coach for West Iron, Schive said he was one regret.

“I didn’t win my school a district championship. I lost one in this gym, when I felt we had the team to win it. Plus, I got out-coached against Norway (Ben Leiker) two or three times when we had the better team, going into the tournament,” Schive said.

Iron Mountain, who improved to 14-0 on the season, remains home to host Great Northern Conference member Menominee (9-4), who dropped to Division 3 this season. The Maroons defeated Norway 60-39 on Tuesday and blasted Bark River-Harris 76-55 Thursday night at Menominee.

“This team is very hungry to make a tournament run, very hungry,” Johnson said. “But we know we’ve got a tall task in front of us on Saturday. Menominee is a great team and they play a very tough schedule.”

Tip-off on Saturday is at 1 p.m. at the Mountaineer Gymnasium, for the District 66 championship. The winner will travel to Escanaba on Tuesday for a semifinal game in the U.P. half of MHSAA Region 17.

West Iron 7 7 10 7 — 31

Iron Mtn 27 23 9 17 — 76

WEST IRON: Thomson 13, Stapleton 1, Anderson 2, Nelson 13, Alexa 2; FT: 6-8; F: 7; Fouled Out: None; 3-point FG: Thomson 3.

IRON MTN: Brown 12, Pietrantonio 4, Evosevich-Hynes 8, Kleiman 4, Basanese 9, Dumais 6, Colavecchi 2, Wonders 31; FT: 4-5; F: 12; Fouled Out: None; 3-point FG: Brown 4, Wonders 3, Basanese 3; Rebounds: 24, Dumais 7, Wonders 6; Assists: 16, Brown 7, Wonders 4, Evosevich-Hynes 4.