Kingsford’s Nic Nora (0) splits the defensive efforts of Gladstone’s Nick Matthews (14), Kaden Gibbs (0) and Drake Johnson (45) on his way to the basket during Thursday night’s Great Northern Conference clash at Kingsford High School. Nora hit for a game-high 26 to lead the Flivvers to a 64-49 win. (Terry Raiche photo)

KINGSFORD — Nic Nora scored 24 of his game-high 26 points in the first half to power Kingsford to a 64-49 victory over Gladstone in a Great Northern Conference clash Thursday at Kingsford High School.

Nora sank three of his four triples and tallied 16 points in the opening quarter as the Division 1-3 second-ranked Flivvers doubled up the Braves 20-10.

The senior guard then scored eight of Kingsford’s 12 points in the second quarter to help give his team a 32-20 edge at the break.

“Nic Nora had a great offensive first half,” Kingsford coach Dan Olkkonen said. “He did it from both the outside (four 3s) and inside the lane.”

Kingsford (13-2) pushed its lead to 48-32 after three quarters on the strength of six points from Morgan Sleik, five from Cole Myllyla and four from Gavin Grondin. Myllyla finished with 13 points, Grondin added 12 and Sleik contributed 10.

On the other end, the Flivvers held the Braves (6-9) mostly in check throughout.

“We felt pretty good about our defensive effort stopping Gladstone from getting into the lane, but they were able to knock down shots from the outside,” Olkkonen said. “This was a very physical game like most GNC games and we are happy to come out with a good team win.”

The victory was Kingsford’s sixth straight and brings the Flivvers one step closer to claiming the GNC title.

Olkkonen’s crew stands at 5-0 in league play, 1.5 games in front of Marquette and Escanaba, as of Thursday night, with three games left.

The Flivvers host Escanaba on Feb. 16, travel to Menominee on Feb. 20 and finish the GNC slate on Feb. 24 with a trip to Marquette.

Next up for the Flivvers is a shot at revenge against top-ranked Iron Mountain on Tuesday, Feb. 14 in Iron Mountain. The Mountaineers knocked off Kingsford 75-51 on Jan. 17 in Kingsford.

BOBCATS 61, EAGLES 40

SURING, Wis. — Whether play is sloppy or the execution of a game play is perfect, a win is a win. And, in the end, the Florence Bobcats got the win 61-40 against host Suring in a nonconference battle Thursday night.

“Well, it wasn’t always pretty,” said Florence coach Bryan Bomberg, who’s guided the Bobcats to an 18-1 mark so far this season. “We definitely played in spurts.

“I was happy that our defense stayed solid from start to finish,” he added. “Offensively, we struggled to knock down shots and get a good flow offensively. But once we did, we got a comfortable lead and were able to get solid minutes for everyone.”

Seven different Bobcats scored in the road win, with Dustin Williams hitting the host Eagles (7-12) for a team-high 17 points and Logan Schuls also in double figures with 12 points.

Williams was one of three Florence cagers — along with William Kelley and Dominic DeMuri — to also haul in eight rebounds. Kelley also chipping in nine points, while DeMuri ended the night with eight points.

Also scoring for the Bobcats were Blake Smith with seven points, and Trent McLain and Logan Koski each with four points.

TROJANS 61, ROCKETS 58

RAPID RIVER — Forest Park used a big third quarter and a strong fourth to come from behind to record its eighth victory in nine games, a 61-58 triumph over host Rapid River in a Skyline Central Conference battle on Thursday evening.

The Trojans (9-5) trailed 31-22 at halftime, but rang up 23 points in the third quarter to pull within 49-45 heading into the fourth. Then FP outscored the Rockets (8-6) 16-9 to leave town with the victory.

Felix Quevedo and Gaven Rintala led the Trojans with 15 points each. Quevedo added six rebounds, five steals and four assists and sank all three of his 3-point shots. Rintala also buried three triples.

Kevin Giuliani recorded 14 points on 7 of 10 shooting, while Grayson Sundell finished with 11 points and Nik Stephens added five rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Forest Park was scheduled to get back in action Friday with a home game against Superior Central (5-10).