NORWAY – The Norway Knights came out of the shoot with 18 points in the first quarter to establish an 11-point lead on their way to a 57-35 victory over visiting Stephenson in a MHSAA Division 4 District 99 semifinal contest Wednesday.

With their win, the Knights (14-9) advance to the district final when they will travel to Crystal Falls to take on the UPSSA Division 4 top-ranked Forest Park Trojans (18-4) tonight at Eddie Chambers Gymnasium.

The Trojans captured both regular season games – 56-44 on Dec. 4 in Norway and 71-34 on Feb. 10 in CF.

Against Stephenson (15-7) five Norway players scored in the opening period, led by Elliott Kraemer’s five points. Kraemer sank the first of his five 3-pointers in the quarter and led three Knights in double figures in the game with 19 points.

Both teams struggled offensively in the second quarter, combining for just eight points. But the Knights got cooking again in the third, hanging 18 on the Eagles to be extend their advantage to 41-21 heading into the fourth.

Kaleb LaPine and Anthony Pineda recorded 12 points each to go with Kraemer’s output.

Asher Priebe paced the Eagles with 13 points, while Nate Klein finished with 11. Stephenson connected on just 11 field goals attempts and only four from inside the 3-point arc.

STEPHENSON – Starzynski 0 2-2 2, Priebe 5 0-0 13, Monette 0 4-6 4, Klein 4 0-0 11, E. Ruleau 1 0-0 3, Phelps 1 0-0 2. Totals: 11 6-8 35. 3-point field goals: 7 (Priebe, Klein 3, E. Ruleau).

NORWAY – Langin 1 0-0 2, Baij 2 0-0 5, Lapine 4 4-5 12, Pineda 5 2-2 12, Ross 0 0-2 0, Kraemer 7 0-2 19, Pearson 2 0-2 4, Morgan 1 0-0 3. Totals: 22 6-13 57. 3-point field goals: 7 (Kraemer 5, Baij, Morgan).

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Compiled by Daily News sports correspondent Jerry DeRoche