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DEFENSIVE BATTLE: Jets Outslug Wolves, 46-41
 POWERS---The North Central Jets played tough perimeter defense and held off the Carney-Nadeau Wolves, 46-41, in a boys basketball rivalry game Thursday in Powers. The normally-sharp Wolves were ice cold from beyond the three-point arch, and they missed 14 of their first 18 free throws. Carney ended up 8-for-18 from the free throw line, and had they shot a better percentage, they might have pulled this one out.  NCA senior Cole Timblin turned a turnover into a layup in the other direction, made a floater in the lane, and made a sharp pass to Luke Gorzinski for a lay-up during that time. In the third quarter, the Jets went on another run, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to end the period with a seemingly commanding 33-23 lead, as the Carney scoring woes continued. But Brett LaFord and the Wolves woke up and went on an 11-0 run of their own to tak a brief lead, 34-33, midway through the final quarter. The turning point for NCA was a four-point play by Brien Gromark, who made three three's in the entire game and wound up with ten points. Ian Gorzinski led the Jets with 14 points. LaFord led the Wolves with 16 points, but he uncharacteristically struggled at the free throw line. North Central improved to 2-0 while Carney-Nadeau fell to 2-1. Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and videos, and hear post-game comments from Ian Gorzinski and Brian Gromark. Also hear the halftime interview with NCA graduate and Western Michigan basketball player Jason Whitens.  |
