SPALDING — The shots weren’t dropping for the Powers North Central boys here Thursday night as they dropped a 48-30 basketball decision to the Bessemer Speedboys.

A 10-foot set shot by senior forward Lane Gorzinski tied the score at 10 with 50 seconds left in the first quarter of this fast-paced non-conference contest.

Bessemer started the second frame with a 9-0 run, taking a 19-10 lead on a layup by sophomore Cayden Harju and forcing the Jets to use a time-out.

The Jets trailed 24-17 at halftime and were still within 27-21 on Gorzinski’s jump shot from the lane midway through the third frame.

Bessemer, however, finished the third stanza with a 9-1 run, gaining a 36-22 cushion on a layup by junior forward Leland Hollenbeck.

The Speedboys continued to build on their lead in the fourth, pushing it to 46-28 on a three-foot jumper by sophomore Jayden Verrett with 1:27 remaining.

“I think we’re shifting back to where we’re more comfortable,” Bessemer coach Richard Matrella said. “It all started with our defense. Our man-to-man looked real good tonight. Our man makes you take hard shots and rebounding the ball is key.”

Bessemer junior CJay Wainio’s fast break layup off the opening tip may have offered a sign of things to come.

The Speedboys took a 7-2 lead on Harju’s six-foot floater before the Jets rallied to tie the score on a 20-foot jumper by senior guard Jordan Walters with 3:52 remaining in the opening frame.

A running five-foot jumper by senior Ben Kaurala gave Bessemer a 10-7 lead with 1:57 left in the first before the Jets pulled even at 10.

Bessemer junior Gus Matrella, who drained a jumper from the left corner early in the game, also sank a 20-jumper from the right wing in the opening moments of the second stanza for a 13-10 lead.

Harju led the Speedboys with 10 points and Hollenback added nine. They committed nine turnovers and the Jets had 10.

“Nine turnovers is good for us against a team that pressured us is good,” coach Matrella said. “The three-pointers by Gus got us started. Those helped set the tone. It’s nice to see other teams. Having the 22-game schedule is a good thing. I advocated for that for years. I’m happy with our defense. The offense will come.”

Senior guard Alex Pipkorn and forward Lane Gorzinski had seven points apiece for North Central (7-5) which hosts Rock Mid Peninsula Tuesday.

The Speedboys, who improved to 3-5 with their second straight victory, played at Lake Linden-Hubbell Friday. They host Ontonagon Monday.

Box score

Bessemer 10 11 15 12 — 48

North Central 10 4 8 8 — 30

Bessemer — Wainio 5, C. Harju 10, Verrett 7, Matrella 6, Kaurala 2, G. Harju 5, A. Partanen 2, Hollenbeck 9, Carlson 2. FT: 5-13; F: 14; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Matrella 2, C. Harju

Powers North Central — Pipkorn 7, Walters 5, Malone 2, Burton 2, Gorzinski 7, Sandoval 2, Eichhorn 5. FT: 4-12; F: 13; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Walters, Eichhorn