The North Central boys varsity basketball team celebrates winning the MHSAA Division 4, District 99 championship trophy in Powers on Friday night after defeating Stephenson 67-51. The Jets next face Munising in the regional round. The teams split during the regular season. ( Justin St. Ours/Escanaba Daily Press photo)

POWERS — The fourth-ranked North Central boys varsity basketball team kept its composure and the lead Friday night in a 67-51 basketball triumph over the Stephenson Eagles in a Division 4 district championship.

It marked the first district title in five years for the host Jets (18-4), who now face third-ranked Munising (19-2) in a regional opener Monday night at 7 p.m. in Negaunee. The Eagles finished 15-7.

North Central took a 46-34 lead on a 20-foot jump shot from the left wing by senior Bradey Anderson late in the third quarter.

The Eagles shaved their deficit to 46-39 on a fast break layup by junior guard Spencer Coldren with 30 seconds left in the third.

Stephenson moved within 48-43 on a 10-foot floater by Lluis Colomer Alloza 50 seconds into the fourth.

The Jets answered with an 8-2 run, gaining a 56-45 cushion on a reverse layup and free throw by junior guard Luke Gorzinski with five minutes, 55 seconds left in the contest.

Coldren hit a 20-foot jumper to bring Stephenson within eight points. The Jets, however, maintained their cushion en route to their third victory over the Eagles this season.

“They were shooting pretty good,” said junior Connor Florenski, who hit all eight of his free throws and led the Jets with 18 points. “We started out hot. Then, we went cold for a while in the first half. We played better defense in the second half.

“I’ve never been part of a district championship team before, but we put in the work to earn it,” he added. “I think our experience helped. When they made a run, we just kept our cool and weathered the storm.”

Stephenson took a brief 16-15 lead on a 20-foot set shot from the right wing by sophomore guard Wyatt Spaude early in the second stanza.

The Jets responded with seven unanswered points for a 22-16 lead midway through the second.

Stephenson was within 28-24 on a lay-in by Alloza with 1:58 remaining in the second.

North Central scored the last five points of the second, taking a 33-24 halftime advantage on a 23-foot jumper by Florenski.

“The run before halftime gave us a lot of momentum, and that continued in the second half,” he said. “It’s always hard to beat the same team three times. You know everything they’re doing, and they know everything we’re doing.”

North Central stretched its lead to 43-32 on a turn-around jumper from the boulevard by junior Jesse Sampson with less than two minutes remaining in the third.

“Our guys played even keel all night,” said Jets coach Mike Malone. “You always have to come ready to play. If you don’t come ready to play, you’re going to get beat. You have to play every game like it’s your last. Stephenson played well, and number 13 (Alloza) played lights out tonight. That’s the best they played all year in my opinion.”

Gorzinski added 15 points. Anderson added 14, and Sampson had 13 for the Jets, who went 9-for-9 from the charity stripe and committed 13 turnovers.

Alloza paced the Eagles with 18 points, and Coldren finished with 13. They had 10 miscues.

“We kept the pressure on them,” said Eagles coach Christian Londo. “We started two freshmen. This is a huge game for 14- and 15-year-old kids. The future is bright. They’re an experienced group. They hit shots when it really mattered. Our kids played their tails off. I’m extremely proud of them.”

The Jets spent this weekend prepared for this season’s third meeting with Munising. The teams split during the regular season.

“They have a lot of pieces to the puzzle, and you can’t stop just one or two,” Malone added. “They have a lot of weapons. You’ve got to hit them on the right night. They have five guys who can score.”