Both players also turned in good floor games as Johnson dished out six assists and compiled five steals, while Millan grabbed nine rebounds and recorded four steals.

Florence (6-2) held the Lady Trojans to just 17 percent shooting.

“We were trying some new things,” Florence coach Brad Perry said. “We were mixing up our defenses on the fly to try to keep them off-balance.”

Perry said he had his team play a fullcourt 1-2-2 press, a 1-3-1 halfcourt trap, a man defense and a 2-3 zone.

Forest Park’s Gracie Peterson (42) goes up for a shot against a trio of Florence defenders, including Audrey Selden (5) and Isabella Millan (2), in the girls varsity basketball matchup in Crystal Falls on Monday night. Florence won the basketball clash 57-23.

“The girls handled (the changing defenses) pretty well,” he said.

Meanwhile, Forest Park (1-5) just couldn’t get the ball to drop, coach Kim Bjork pointed out.

“We played a good first half defensively and moved the ball well offensively,” she said. “We just couldn’t get our shots to fall.”

The Lady Trojans, who have lost five straight, trailed 13-2 after the first quarter and 28-6 at the break. Rayven Jacobson topped Forest Park with six points.

Bjork said the Johnson-Millan tandem proved tough for her team to contain.

“(They) were too much for us to handle and they took over the game,” Bjork said.

Florence has won five of its last six games.

Knights score key league win

HARRIS — Junior Donna VanHolla hit a key 3-pointer down the stretch to help the Norway Knights girls varsity basketball team hold off Bark River-Harris 39-35 in a key early-season Skyline Central Conference-Large contest.

“We needed this game and knew it would be a battle,” Norway coach Joe Tinti said. “We had a hot first quarter and then things cooled off for both teams. It was a game of mini-runs and some timely free throws.”

The Knights hit the ground running, scoring 19 points in the opening quarter to grab a four-point edge. Averie Popp and Andi Carlson scored five points each to help the quick start.

Norway’s offense dried up in the second quarter and the Broncos headed into the halftime break with a 25-23 lead. The teams stood tied at 31-all heading into the fourth.

Along with VanHolla’s 3-pointer and free throw, the Knights (4-2) received five points from Hannah Burklund in the fourth.

Bark River-Harris was led by Aspen Fredrick, who tallied nine points. Veteran starter Cara Zawacki did not play in the game for the Broncos.

Nevertheless, Norway offered some glimpses into its potential.

“We still have a lot to do but after a first quarter in which we had good execution offensively, we will work to copy that and get consistency throughout all four quarters,” Tinti said.

Knights rebound, bounce Niagara

NORWAY — The Norway Knights boys varsity basketball team bounced back from a disappointing loss to rival Iron Mountain last week to upend visiting Niagara 51-34 on Monday.

Michael Peterson led the way for the Knights (2-1) with 15 points to go with 13 points from Alex Ortman.

Norway held the Badgers (2-3) to 11 points in the opening half, taking a 15-point lead into the break.

“Our energy and defensive pressure was solid for most of the game,” Norway coach Jeff Gallino. “We were able to knock some shots down tonight against their zone.”

Niagara, which had won its previous two games, was led by freshman Tommy Martin’s 16 points. He was the lone double-digit scorer for the Badgers.

“I thought Tommy Martin had a heck of a game for them,” Gallino said.

Niagara coach Terry Youren said his team didn’t play as well as it can.

“Norway did a nice job tonight and we didn’t bring our ‘A’ game,” he said.

Patriots roll

over Sevastopol

PEMBINE — Ryan Ehlert poured in 32 points and Boone Larison contributed 29 in Goodman-Pembine’s 88-62 nonconference victory over Sevastopol on Monday.

Patriots’ coach Jeff Zerbst spoke glowingly of his team’s performance afterward.

“For the first time in a long time we played a complete game in all phases,” Zerbst said. “Tough defense led to transition buckets on the other end. We feel we are a team that will be tough to beat when we play defense at the level we played tonight.”

Goodman-Pembine led by nine at the half with Ehlert scoring 18 points and Larison producing 16.

“I am happy with the performance and we hope to keep building off this one,” Zerbst said. “Good team victory tonight.”

Jerry DeRoche can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 247, or at jderoche@ironmountaindailynews.com