North Central eighth grader Autumn Triest attempts a 3-pointer against Menominee on Dec. 16, 2024 at North Central High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

SPALDING — The Powers North Central girls attempted a comeback, but Menominee didn’t allow it to happen in a 57-36 basketball triumph over the Jets here Monday night.

North Central, which trailed 37-18 early in the third quarter of this non-conference contest, got within 40-26 on a layup by junior Dalyn Otadovec with 2:25 left in that quarter.

The Jets again got within 14 points on another layup by Otradovec with 17.6 seconds remaining in the third to make it 44-30.

Menominee (3-1) answered with an 8-0 run, gaining an insurmountable 52-30 advantage on a 19-foot jump shot by junior forward Ella Barker with 5:44 left in the contest.

“Offensively, this was definitely our best performance to this point in the season,” Maroons’ coach Lucas Chouinard said. “Fifty-seven points is a step in the right direction and the girls gave a tremendous effort on defense. We just have to work on some rotational stuff and be a little more physical.”

The Jets were within 11-8 following an 18-foot set shot by junior Maycee Murray with less than three minutes left in the opening frame.

Menominee answered with an 11-0 run, gaining a 22-8 cushion on Barker’s jumper inside the free throw circle with five seconds remaining in the first.

The Jets shaved their deficit to 24-11 on a running six-foot jumper by freshman Addison Otradovec early in the second.

Menominee then built its lead to 33-14 on a 20-foot jumper by Coduti late in the second.

North Central (0-4) scored the last hoop in the second and Addison Otradovec scored on a putback to start the third to make it 33-18.

“Actually, our first half wasn’t bad,” Jets’ coach Brooke Granquist said. “The girls didn’t quit. They kept fighting. They (Menominee) have a tough team. We had to strategically use our time-outs. We had to keep them as fresh as we could.”

Addison and Dalyn Otradovec scored 12 points apiece for North Central, which committed 27 turnovers.

“27 isn’t too bad for a young team against a fast team,” Granquist said. “In the second half, Addie was starting to take a little more control and Autumn (Triest) did a nice job passing the ball. I think the girls are gaining confidence.”

Coduti tossed in 19 points for the Maroons, who finished with 17 miscues.

“Gianna is very dynamic for us,” Chouinard said. “She can go inside and hit from outside. I thought we did a good job passing the ball around the perimeter. I also thought if we could make them run and get them a little tired, we could force some turnovers. When you don’t have a (junior varsity) game, it makes it a little tough on the girls.This is the second time in a row that we didn’t have a (junior varsity) game. It takes you out of your flow.”

The Maroons are idle until Dec. 28 when they host Marinette. The Jets resume Jan. 3 at Felch North Dickinson.

Box score

Menominee 22 11 13 11 — 57

North Central 8 8 14 6 — 36

Menominee — Barker 9, Doyle 4, Chouinard 6, Coduti 19, Fox 2, Marineau 5, Pesola 1, Axtell 3. FT: 4-11; F: 15; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Barker, Coduti, Marineau.

Powers North Central — Linder 1, A. Otradovec 12, D. Otradovec 12, Murray 5, Triest 6. FT: 7-16; F: 12; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Triest 2, Murray.