SPALDING — Superior Central wanted to control the tempo in a Division 4 boys’ district basketball final here Friday night.

Powers North Central didn’t allow that to happen, however, as it rolled to a 69-34 triumph in a match-up of contrasting styles.

The victory sends the Jets (11-14) to the regional tournament at Kingsford where they’ll open against Crystal Falls Forest Park (20-4) Tuesday at 6 p.m. CDT. The Cougars finished 16-8

“Our goal was to get off to a fast start and take them out of their comfort zone,” Jets’ senior guard Jacob Gorzinski said. “We wanted to speed them up as much as we could. We watched a lot of film on them and saw their tendencies. The style of basketball they play fits them well and they do it very well. They ran their offense through the post this year. If we took that away, we knew we had them.”

Superior Central won the lone regular-season meeting 46-44 at Eben Junction Dec. 11.

The Cougars got within 20-14 early in the second quarter when senior forward Jason Kanerva scored on a putback and free throw for a three-point play.

North Central answered with a 19-2 run, surging to a 39-16 cushion on a pair of free throws by senior forward Hunter Robinson with five minutes, 25 seconds left in the third.

The Jets, who outscored the Cougars 22-3 in the third stanza, increased their advantage to 64-30 on a putback by junior Abram Eichhorn in the final 2½ minutes.

“This was probably our most complete game of the season,” Jets’ coach Tyler Mercier said. “Our energy level was way up there. Our crowd was awesome. When you play us, you have to guard five players. We knew we had to get in front early. We didn’t want them to dictate the pace. They’ve held most teams under 40 points.”

The Cougars were within 8-7 midway through the opening frame when senior guard Logan Frusti drained a pair of free throws.

North Central extended its lead to 14-7 on a 10-foot jumper by junior guard Jordan Walters with 90 seconds left in the first.

The Cougars were within 17-11 following a putback by sophomore Blake Tanner, but couldn’t get any closer.

Senior guard Jacob Poquette also scored 13 points and senior forward Hunter Robinson added 11 for the Jets, who committed nine turnovers..

“Our eighth guy got hurt at Hannahville (in Wednesday’s 61-40 triumph),” Mercier said. “Our depth definitely helped us. We put it all together on both ends. Winning a district is a big deal. Overall, this is our 16th district title.”

Frusti scored 11 points for the Cougars, who finished with 29 miscues.

“We got Frusti in foul trouble and it took them out of their rhythm,” Gorzinski said. “Number 23 (senior forward Trent Rutter) really surprised me when we played them up there.”