(Todd Rose/Daily Press photo) North Central’s Connor Florenski (0) turns back to see if his shot goes in against host Rapid River on Thursday.

RAPID RIVER — North Central’s depth became a factor here Thursday night in a 73-47 boys’ basketball triumph over the Rapid River Rockets.

The Jets got 20 points from their bench while improving to 2-0 overall and in the Skyline Central Conference.

“We have a fairly deep bench, and everybody looks to pick up the pace,” said Jets’ coach Mike Malone. “This is a perfect team for me to coach. We had super balance, which is precisely what I want.”

North Central junior Jesse Sampson began the second quarter with a jump shot from top of the key, giving the Jets a 22-13 lead.

Rapid River responded with nine unanswered points, tying the score on junior Shaun Nelson’s jumper from top of the key with five minutes, 59 seconds left in the second.

The Jets regained the lead on junior Luke Gorzinski’s putback on their next possession.

Sampson added a 20-foot jumper from the right wing, and senior Carter Tietz split a pair of free throws to put North Central up 28-22 with 3:42 remaining in the second.

The Rockets drew within 28-25 on junior Rafe Cambron’s jumper from top of the key moments later.

Gorzinski answered with a shot from top of the key of his own, helping the Jets finish the second stanza with a 15-0 run.

“That’s a good team,” Rapid River’s Hayden Hardwick said. “They’re deep, and they’ve been playing together for quite a while, which is something we’re trying to build here.

“I wasn’t that nervous. Being around the staff helped me tremendously. There are some things I need to work on as a coach. One thing I need to work on is my time-out selection.”

The Rockets were within 52-39 after a layup and free throw by senior Damyn Smith late in the third frame.

Junior Collin Cordy then gave the Jets a 55-39 cushion on a jumper from the left corner on the ensuing possession.

The Jets continued to roll in the fourth, gaining an insurmountable 65-40 advantage on a fast break layup by junior Connor Florenski with 4:37 left to play.

Florenski finished with 18 points, and Gorzinski and Sampson added 13 apiece for the Jets, who trailed 13-11 midway through the opening frame.

“We were trading shots in the first quarter,” said Malone. “Both teams shot well. I thought they did such a good job setting up their back cuts.”

Junior Kodey Goldi led the Rockets with 16 points. Junior Ian Sundling had 10, and senior Rease Dawley was forced out of the game with a shoulder injury.

“Rease is my right-hand man,” said Hardwick. “When he went down, it hurt us. They got to the (free throw) line more than we did, and a lot of that I attribute to their quickness. I thought Kodey had a pretty good night. This was a pretty solid showing by our guys. We started fast. Then as far as our shooting, we ran into a wall in the second quarter.”

Rapid River hit 16-of-67 field goals and 7-of-16 free throws and committed 19 turnovers.

The Jets were 9-of-22 from the line and had seven miscues.

North Central, which won the jayvee game 61-38, hosts Stephenson Tuesday. Rapid River travels to Forest Park Thursday.