KINGSFORD — Kingsford tallied 23 points in what turned out to be a decisive second quarter in the Flivvers’ 68-62 win over visiting Ewen-Trout Creek on Friday night.

After both teams scored 12 points in the opening stanza, Kingsford (12-6) outscored the Panthers 23-9 for a 35-21 lead at intermission.

“(It) was great having Ewen here tonight to play,” said Dan Olkkonen, Kingsford boys varsity basketball head coach. “I believe it was first the meeting for our programs. They are a talented team and are well coached.”

The Panthers (14-3) made a run in the second half and closed the gap to 47-40 but couldn’t overcome the first-half deficit. The Flivvers held off the Panthers by connecting on 12 of 15 from the free-throw line.

“We have struggled the last two games versus Menominee and Marquette finishing in the fourth quarter and that was our focus for tonight,” Olkkonen added. “Nic (Nora) did a great job scoring for us but also finding the open guys.”

Nora scored a team-high 24 for Kingsford, including hitting on a pair of 3-pointers, with Ben Trevillian chipping in 13 points and Brody Kopp adding 9 points in the win.

Nordics score 1st road win 55-44

REPUBLIC — The North Dickinson boys varsity basketball team scored its first road win of the 2021-22 season by beating host Republic-Michigamme 55-44 in a hard-fought non-conference clash Friday night.

The two teams were separated by just one point at halftime, with the Nordics holding a 28-27 advantage, and tied at 32-all late in the third quarter.

But North Dickinson (3-15) won the final stanza 18-12 to pull away for the victory over the host Hawks (2-11).

“Pivotal part of our response was our free throw shooting, shooting 10 of 11,” said Nordics coach Chris Mattson. “Overall, a really nice game.

“It’s been a rough year for the kids in terms of wins. We’ve been preaching that hard work pays off and our play has improved, especially doing the little things,” he added.

Colin LaFave hit four threes on his way to a team-best 16 points to lead the Nordics. Antonio Inglese added 14 points in the win, with Nicholas Conery chipping in nine points.

“Colin LaFave’s outside shots helped us in the first half,” Mattson said. “He went through some games earlier where his offense slipped, but he was really focused on helping us out defensively. Once his confidence grew defensively, he started making shots.”

Solid ‘D’ helps FP top Wolves 57-41

CARNEY — Forest Park held host Carney-Nadeau to single digits offensively in all four quarters on its way to a 57-41 win in the duel between the two Skyline Central Conference boys varsity basketball foes Friday night.

The visiting Trojans (8-11, 4-4) held the Wolves (4-13, 1-7) to eight and seven points in the first and second periods, while more than doubling that in building a 31-17 halftime lead. Forest Park, which connected on 8 of 9 free throws, scored in double figures in all four quarters, while Carney-Nadeau struggled to find the basket until hitting for 17 points in the final stanza.

Kevin Giuliani led the way for the Trojans with a game-high 20 points. Gavin Rintala knocked down four of Forest Park’s five 3-pointers on the night for 12 points, with Sam McKissack also hitting from long range while chipping in 9 points.

WIC struggles in rematch 50-19

IRON RIVER — West Iron County didn’t fare well in its rematch with West-Pac Conference rival Hancock on Friday night, with the Wykons unable to keep up offensively in a 50-19 loss at home.

West Iron (1-15, 1-6), which scored just two points in both the first and third quarters, trailed Hancock 26-10 at intermission. Elijah Oberlin hit for a team-high 10 points for the Wykons.

The Wykons beat Hancock (2-16, 1-9) for their only win of the 2021-22 season when they topped Bulldogs 55-52 on Jan. 25.

Dennis Mansfield may be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 244, or at dmansfield@ironmountaindailynews.com.