RIVALRY UPSET: Jets Shut Down Wolves, 49-36

POWERS---The North Central High School boys basketball team opened district tournament play on Monday with a 49-36 upset win over the Carney-Nadeau Wolves Monday night in Powers. The Wolves led, 21-20, at halftime, as Max Baumler nailed three straight triples. But the NCA defense allowed just 15 points in the second half.

"It just seemed like the ball just wouldn't go in the basket," C-N Coach Jake Polfus said. "We couldn't hit two, three shots in a row. It is what it is. It's been like that all year long. Sometimes, we shoot really good. Sometimes, we don't."

"It's been hit-or-miss with us all year," Polfus continued. "They played the same defense against us (in the last meeting), and we just didn't make any shots this time. It is what it is."

Carney-Nadeau had won both regular season meetings with North Central, with the last meeting going down to the wire.

This time, the NCA defense didn't let it come down to a buzzer-beater.

"We came out in a zone and we tried to bother their three-point shot, and it was successful for, I'd say, three quarters of the game," NCA senior Griffin Johnson said. "Max Baumler got three straight three's and started to heat it up. But after that, we just tried to play some stifiling defense and lock them down, and get them out of their ryhtym."

"We kind of just stuck to our assignments, made sure that we found the shooters this time," NCA senior Brady Eichmeier added. "In the first half, we kind of left the shooters open way too much. We gave the open looks to those who struggled at the three-point line, and we closed out hard on those who were definitely a threat from out there."

The Jets were led by Johnson's 17 points. Eichmeier added 14.

Baumler scored 19 points in a losing effort for Carney, which finished the season 14-7. The Jets (13-7) host Stephenson in the district semifinals on Wednesday. Game time is 6:00 CT.

It will be broadcast on Eagle 107.3 FM and at www.radioresultsnetwork.com.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos, video highlights from Monday night's game.