THE BEAT GOES ON: Jets Roll To Championship

NEGAUNEE---For the 48 hours since the regional semifinal games ended, most people were predicting a war between the North Central Jets and the Forest Park Trojans in the championship game Wednesday night. After all, the Trojans challenged the Jets in their last regular season match-up before North Central pulled out a 61-57 victory.

Well, not this time. The Jets got off to a hot start and the Trojans did not have an answer. North Central rolled to a 75-45 win to stay undefeated and earn a spot in the Class D state quarterfinals next Tuesday against Onaway, which beat Pickford Wednesday.

That quarterfinal game will be played in Sault Ste. Marie at 6:00 CT/7:00 ET.

"A lot of people see our talent and think it's easy," NCA Coach Adam Mercier said. "But these kids have worked very hard. And they play great 'team basketball'. Sure, we have a lot of talent, but these kids have to go out there and win games."

"Nothing is given to them," Mercier continued. "They have to go and earn it. I think that's where it starts from. It's that mentality that nothing will be given to them, it's got to be earned. And these kids do a great job of that."

The Jets got off to the strong start they were looking for, piling up 30 points in the first quarter, shellshocking Forest Park, 30-13. It didn't get any better in the second quarter, as the Jets outscored the Trojans, 22-9, to take a commanding 52-22 halftime lead.

"We were pushing the ball up the floor, and they just couldn't get back," NCA junior Dawson Bilski said. "We got a little cushion and they were frustrated."

"It's so important (to get off to a quick start)," NCA junior Seth Polfus said. "Especially in districts and regionals, we've been coming out blazing. It just set the tone for the rest of the game."

"Coach told us that we just needed to get up and down the floor fast," NCA junior Marcus Krachinski said. "Because if we got into transition, it'd be hard to stop us."

Jason Whitens led the Jets with 22 points, with 16 of those points coming in the big first quarter. Trevor Ekberg added 15 points, Bilski had 14, and Bobby Kleiman added 11.

The game was played before a large and loud crowd inside Negaunee's Lakeview Memorial Gym, and most of the fans in attendance were rooting for the Jets.

"There's a lot of people here tonight," Krachinski said. "We've got to thank the fans for coming out from Hermansville, Powers, all over the place."

"It's just amazing," Polfus said. "You can see how many come to support us. I mean, we had both sides of the gym just filled. And you can see how many people are on the court right now. It's amazing the support we have."

After getting their regional championship trophy, the boys all ran to the student section, and the students rushed over the yellow ropes that was surrounding the court.

"It's the greatest feeling in the world being able to do this," Bilski said. "Especially four years in a row. I know I wasn't a part of it for one of the years, but being able to do this with all of the guys, and all my friends, it's just greatest feeling in the world."

North Central, the defending state champion, improved to 25-0 on the season. Crystal Falls fell to 22-3, with all three losses coming to the Jets. Daniel Nocerini led the Trojans with 17 points. Kameron Krajewski added nine points in a losing effort.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and videos, and hear player and coach's post-game interviews.