Kingsford cager Brody Kopp (12) goes up and over a Westwood defender for a two-point shot in boys varsity basketball action Friday night. The host Flivvers topped Westwood 72-59 in the nonconference clash. (Terry Raiche photo)

KINGSFORD — The Westwood Patriots arrived at Kingsford High School on Friday night with two lopsided wins in their pocket and with lofty expectations for the 2021-22 season. Meanwhile, the host Flivvers entered the game with a 1-1 mark after routing Houghton and losing a tight ballgame to powerful Escanaba.

In the end, the Flivvers proved they have what it takes to be in the top echelon of U.P. boys varsity basketball teams this year by defeating Westwood 72-59 in a nonconference battle. Kingsford broke open a tight game down the stretch by sinking 15 free throws in the final quarter to put the game away.

“This was a great game from the start with both going teams after each other,” Kingsford head coach Dan Olkkonen said. “Going 15 for 18 from the free-throw line in the fourth was the key to the victory. The guys battled and won a big game.”

Guard Nic Nora in particular. Nora wound up outgunning Westwood guard Zach Carlson with 32 points, including 7 of 8 on free-throws in the final period, while Carlson finished with 31.

The teams and those two individuals brought their “A” games from the start. Nora scored 11 points as Kingsford rung up 21 points in the first quarter and Carlson produced 10 to help his team stay even with the Flivvers (2-1) after eight minutes.

The teams cooled off a bit in the second quarter with the Patriots taking a 31-27 at the break. Kingsford closed the third quarter on an 8-0 run to lead by one beginning the fourth.

“Brody Kopp, Ben Trevillian and Mike Meneguzzo were huge in the second half in the paint on both sides of the floor, ” Olkkonen said. “Nic Nora did a great job scoring for us both from outside and getting to the basket.”

Meneguzzo finished with 13 points to go with 11 from Kopp and eight from Trevillian.

Kingsford finished 19 of 26 from the foul line while Westwood managed just 6 of 9.

Patriots hit 3s to power win

Marinette — Goodman-Pembine hit St. Thomas Aquinas with 10 3-pointers on its way to building an insurmountable 54-14 lead at halftime en route to a 78-39 victory Saturday in Marinette.

Boone Larison totaled 18 points while Jacob Kessel and Ryan Ehlert added 10 each to power the Patriots to the easy win.

Ethan Braley got hot in the second half, sinking five triples to wind up with 17 points to pace the Cavaliers.

Miners rout West Iron 70-13

NEGAUNEE — The Negaunee Miners connected on 10 3-pointers in their 70-13 rout of West Iron County at Lakeview Memorial Gymnasium in Negaunee on Friday.

Freshman Ty Jacobson led the shooting party with 20 points and a team-best four 3-pointers to go with 10 and three triples by Mason Sager.

The Wykons (0-2) managed just six field goals in the game.

“The team started the game good with an early lead,” West Iron coach Curt Olexa said. “Then the press and uncontested 3-point shots.

“Those things as a team will have to continue to work on to get better.”

In their last two games, the Miners have allowed only 35 points.