Norway’s Tyler Neuens (32) gets his layup attempt rejected by North Dickinson’s Spencer Kramer (24) during the boys varsity season-opener for both teams Monday night at Norway High School. In the end, it would be the host Knights rejecting the Nordics and winning the hoops clash 55-33. Neuens chipped in six points in the Knights’ victory. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

NORWAY — The Norway boys varsity basketball team celebrated the start of its 2022-23 season with a convincing win at home over the North Dickinson Nordics 55-33 on Monday.

The host Knights dominated the game pretty much from start to finish, outscoring the Nordics in all four quarters. That included building a 24-17 advantage at halftime.

“It was definitely early season basketball tonight,” said Norway coach Jeff Galliano after the win. “I thought our team picked up the intensity in the second half to secure the win.”

The Nordics only hit double figures in one period against the Knights when they scored 12 in the second stanza. Norway then held North Dickinson to nine points in the third and just seven points in the final quarter.

“We have a lot to work on but I think we have a group that is dedicated to put the time in to improve,” Galliano added. “I thought North Dickinson was very scrappy and got their hands on a lot of loose balls tonight.”

Norway’s Michael Peterson (20) slips between two North Dickinson defenders, Antonio Inglese (10) and Ty King (45), to put up a shot attempt during a convincing home win by the host Knights on Monday. Norway outscored the visiting Nordics in all four quarters. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

Alex Ortman and Michael Peterson tallied 19 and 11 points, respectively, to help fuel the Knights’ offensive attack. Tyler Neuens and Wyatt Spade each chipped in six points, while Cole Baji and AJ Galliano both had three points in the win.

For the Nordics, Antonio Inglese tallied a team-best 11 points. Nick Conery and Spencer Kramer both hit for six points, while Colin LaFave and Trevor Larson each added three points.

JETS 49, EAGLES 38

POWERS — A fourth-quarter surge proved helpful to the North Central boys varsity squad in a season-opening 49-38 basketball triumph over the visiting Stephenson Eagles on Monday night.

The Jets led 21-19 at halftime and 37-34 after the third quarter.

North Dickson hoopster Shane Haley (22) goes to the floor in a fight with Norway’s Blake Dishaw (11) and Michael Peterson (20) for control of the basketball during Monday night’s season-opener at Norway High School. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

“They made bit of a run in the third quarter,” said Jets’ coach Mike Malone. “Stephenson gave everything they had which is a testament to them. Without Luke (Gorzinski) on the floor, our leadership and poise struggled tonight. Six days of practice isn’t very many. That’s not the way I wanted to draw it up, but that’s the hand we’re dealt.”

Connor Florenski scored 22 points to lead the host Jets in the win.

Owen Kuehnau hit 14 and Zack Schwartz added 12 for the Eagles.

“Jesse Sampson had the job of defending Schwartz, who’s 6-foot-6, and did a pretty good job,” said Malone. “He did real well on defensive rebounds. As a team we definitely didn’t box out the way we should and had quite a few turnovers.”

The Jets, who also won the JV game, host Rapid River on Thursday. The Eagles host Munising on Thursday.

Norway defender Wyatt Spade (35) tries to draw a charging foul on North Dickinson’s Antonio Inglese during Monday’s boys varsity basketball contest. Inglese paced the Nordics with a team-high 11 points. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)