Norway sophomore Jess Rossler (21) drive to the lane against Ewen-Trout Creek on Tuesday at Norway High School. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

NORWAY — Last season, the Norway girls varsity basketball team breezed through its first game of the year without issue. It didn’t help them in the long run.

This year, Knights’ head coach Brian Adams wanted a test to start the season and they got just that on Tuesday as Norway kicked off the 2024-25 campaign against Ewen-Trout Creek at Norway High School.

“Part of the reason why I asked our athletic director to put this game on the schedule was because I knew what they were,” coach Adams said. “They were in the regional final and they could have probably gone further, had they not run into Ishpeming, who nobody could touch. I wanted a test. I wanted an opportunity to play a team that is pretty much a well-oiled machine.

Although the Knights managed to keep it close until halftime, the Panthers’ offensive firepower was too much to overcome and Ewen-Trout Creek took home the 61-35 win.

“This team was in the regional final last year,” coach Adams said. “I know they were really close (with Ishpeming at halftime) and we all know what Ishpeming did. So we knew what we were getting into. It was a good first test, we wanted to see where we were. We’re not there, but it’s OK. It’s game one, so we have time to get there.”

Panthers’ junior Irelynd McGehsick kicked off the scoring in the first quarter, muscling her way in for a lay up. She added another basket a few minutes later as Ewen-Trout Creek took a 6-2 lead.

“We’ve got to work on boxing out. (Irelynd McGeshick), she’s tough. We’re pretty much the same team from last year,” Adams said. “We’ve got a few additions, but one thing that is still a problem for us is size. We’ll figure it out. We figured it out last year and we’ve got to do it again.”

Four quick points from sophomore Lila Kleikamp tied things at six. However, four more points from McGeshick made it a 10-6 Ewen-Trout Creek advantage.

A three from Paytan Carlson and a layup from Anna Falk cut the Panthers’ lead to two as the first quarter ended.

After connecting on a deep 3-pointer in the first, Emma Besonen and Bree Besonen went to work for Ewen-Trout Creek in the second, each connecting on 3-point shots.

“I had a front-row seat to those two girls all summer on Lauren’s AAU team, so I know how deep their range is,” coach Adams said. “We discussed how deep their range is. I think we got caught a lot of times ball watching, not going over screens and they were getting open off that. We just didn’t do a great job defensively of making sure we were in their hip pocket. We’ve got a lot of stuff to work on and we will clean it up.”

But, the Knights weren’t backing down as senior Mary Cavagnetto took over the scoring. She drilled a 3-pointer and connected on a layup, cutting the Panthers’ advantage to three points.

On the next possession, Paytan Carlson found junior Lauren Adams for a layup and suddenly, it was a one- point game.

“I felt like Mary and Paytan had stretches, each, where they became that second person,” coach Adams said. “We need them to be, I don’t care who is two and who is three, but we need them to consistently score for us.

“Lauren’s going to get attention all year, she got a lot of it tonight. Those are two good guards they have there. They’re quick as heck.”

A three from Bree Besonen and a floater from Emma Besonen made it a six point game at halftime.

Norway battled through the first half of the third quarter and managed to keep the Panthers’ in its sights. Then things took a turn.

Ewen-Trout Creek turned up the pressure and methodically stretched the lead to 30-points while the Knights endured an 11-minute scoreless stretch.

“I tried to call a couple of timeouts to break their runs,” Adams said. “Obviously, that didn’t work. … I thought they did a heck of a job with our press. I thought we were a step slow. There were some opportunities (for steals) but we didn’t move on the pass fast enough.”

From there, it was over as the Panthers’ rolled to the win.

“This season is long, it’s a grind,” Adams said. “We were 2-6 last year, granted we didn’t start out with an opponent like this, but no one is panicking. We know where we need to be, we’ll get there.”

McGeshick led all scorers in the contest with 22 points while Emma Besonen was close behind with 19 points. Emma Besonen also reached the 1,000 point mark in her high school career on a 3-pointer from the left wing in the fourth quarter.

Cavagnetto led the Knights with 10 points.

Norway also received contributions from Ella Wojtowicz (3 points), Lauren Adams (4 points), Falk (2 points), Jessa Rossler (3 points), Ashley Carlson (2 points), Paytan Carlson (5 points), Kara Stanchina (2 points) and Payton Paquette (4 points).

The Knights are back in action today as they head to Crystal Falls to face the Lady Trojans.

Lady Trojans 61, Wolves 55

CARNEY — The Forest Park girls varsity basketball team kicked off its 2024-25 season with a road game against Carney-Nadeau on Tuesday.

Despite trailing at halftime, 16-12, the Lady Trojans rallied in the fourth to force overtime. In the second overtime, they outscored the Wolves and picked up a 61-55 double overtime win.

Elsie Williams led Forest Park with 28 points. She also hauled in four rebounds.

The Lady Trojans also received contributions from Harper Anderson (1 rebound), KD Woollard (2 rebounds, 1 steal), Audrey Williams (14 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal), Lily Sarder (2 rebounds), Aubrey Waara-Shamion (9 points, 4 rebounds) and Jessie Loehr (10 points, 16 rebounds).

Forest Park opens up the home portion of its schedule today against Norway.

Tigers 41, Lady Badgers 30

NIAGARA, Wis. — Looking to give Gillett its first loss of the season, the Niagara girls varsity basketball team faced off with the Tigers on Tuesday at Niagara High School.

However, things didn’t go the Lady Badgers’ way as they fell to Gillett, 41-30.

The Tigers connected on four first half 3-pointers, taking a 25-15 lead into halftime. Niagara held them to one 3-pointer in the second half.

Alivia Kleikamp led the way for the Lady Badger with 10 points.

Niagara also received contributions from Elesia Sweig (2 points), Mallory Sanicki (8 points), Bristol Sanicki (5 points), Marley Jones (1 point), Peyton Neuens-Allred (2 points) and Rachael Walker (2 points).

The Lady Badgers are back on Monday against Lena.

Flivvers 58, Broncos 23

HARRIS — In Ginger Moore’s first game as the Kingsford girls varsity basketball coach, the Flivvers made quick work of Bark River-Harris on Monday, picking up a 58-23 win in Harris.

Kingsford scored 12 points in the first and fourth quarters while racking up 16 in the second and 18 in the third. As a team, it connected on three 3-pointers while going 15 for 27 from the free throw line.

Aubrie Moore led the way for the Flivvers with 14 points.

Kingsford also received contributions from Abby Przeslakowski (9 points), Addisyn Kriegl (3 points), Alyvia Kowalski (2 points), Kailey Sundquist (9 points), Anna Bortolini (11 points), Taylor Olson (2 points), Jazzlyne Shaughnessy (1 point), Cassie Olson (5 points) and Adelyn Normand (2 points).

The Flivvers kick off the home portion of the 2024-25 schedule on Tuesday against Gladstone.