LadyCats’ freshman Kelsi Chrisman (14) dribbles around Norway’s Lila Kleikamp (33) and Lauren Adams (3) on Monday. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

FLORENCE, Wis. — Entering halftime tied at 22-all, Monday’s contest between the Florence and Norway (6-8, 1-2) girls varsity basketball teams could have gone either way.

However, it wasn’t the Knights’ night as the LadyCats (11-7, 3-3) battled to a 47-36 non-conference win at home.

“It was two decent teams battling, making shots,” Florence head coach Kris Johnson said. “We started out in a little bit of a zone look with a little extra attention on Lauren (Adams) because she’s such a good player. Then when we switched over to a straight-man defense with more attention on Lauren than anybody, I feel like we settled in on defense. … Luckily, they didn’t make many shots when we did that.”

LadyCats’ senior Kamdan Johnson opened the scoring in the first half with a layup. However, Norway opened the game pressing on defense and it paid off.

Knights’ junior Lauren Adams scored four quick points and they were off and running. Adams and Paytan Carlson each connected on a 3-pointer and Norway held a 10-4 advantage.

“Out of the gate, we looked a little shell shocked,” coach Johnson said. “And, that’s as much on me as their coach, having them ready mentally and x’s and o’s wise. But, once we settled down and settled in, we made better decisions in the press. We were able to get some layups, but we also turned it over just as much. I felt like we got better as the game went on, which is a credit to the girls.”

Florence’s Abby Novak slowed the Knights down with a layup, however, they extended the lead to eight points a few minutes later. Then things tightened up.

Kamdan Johnson made a layup, sophomore CeCe Mills made a 3-pointer and the lead was cut to three points.

Norway extended its lead to nine points on a Adams’ layup, making it a 22-13 game with seven minutes left in the frame.

The Knights wouldn’t score again in the first half.

Kamdan Johnson scored three points, Naomi Millan added two and Kelsi Chrisman made a 3-pointer, sending the game into halftime tied at 22-all.

“It was really close at halftime,” coach Johnson said. “I felt really good about the change in defense, I said, ‘We’re going to stay with that.’ We went over some of the rules, regarding Lauren. … And then, offensively, they threw a zone at us.”

The teams traded baskets for the first six minutes of the second half. There were five lead changes and three ties during that span.

A 3-pointer from Mills put Florence ahead by five points then Miley VanDenHeuvel extended it to double-digits at the free-throw line. Up by 10 points, the LadyCats nearly allowed Norway back into the contest.

“We know pressure is coming, teams have to pressure when we’re up late in the game,” coach Johnson said. “I feel like there were a few possessions where we were just too lax, too weak, too lazy with the ball. We weren’t using the time and possession as much as we could have. Hopefully, that’s a learning experience for everybody and we can improve from it.”

Adams scored four points in the final minutes, but she couldn’t rally the Knights. She led all scorers in the contest with 21 points.

“She’s so good and watching her on film, she can really change a game in a hurry,” coach Johnson said. “Credit to her, she gets so much attention in every game and you have to, because she’s that caliber of a player.

“Not only shooting it, but in transition, there were a couple times where she dribbled through three of our girls and had an open layup. … If you give her momentum and confidence, it’s not going to end well for you.”

The Knights also received contributions from Anna Falk (2 points), Jessa Rossler (5 points), Carlson (7 points) and Kara Stanchina (1 point).

Kamdan Johnson led Florence with 18 points.

The LadyCats also received contributions from Mills (6 points), Millan (6 points), VanDenHeuvel (7 points), Chrisman (3 points), Novak (4 points) and Bryn Sullivan (3 points).

Norway is in Iron Mountain on Thursday while Florence returns to the court against the Bluejays in Three Lakes, Wis.

“We have a huge game at Three Lakes,” coach Johnson said. “We beat them (in Florence) in a close one earlier in the year. Playing on the road isn’t always easy, but hopefully, we can carry some of this momentum, drive and experience into that one.”

MUSTANGS 66, LADY TROJANS 44

MUNISING — On the cusp of reaching a .500 record, the Forest Park girls varsity basketball team headed to Munising on Monday to face the Mustangs.

The Lady Trojans struggled with Munising’s size and ended up falling 66-44 in a non-conference game.

“We had a tough time keeping Munising off the offensive glass,” Forest Park head coach Kim Bjork said. “We played aggressively on defense and made some good effort plays. Their size got the better of us.”

Munising opened up a five point lead after the first period, out-scoring the Lady Trojans 19-14. However, the Forest Park defense tightened up in the second. Both teams recorded 12 points in the quarter and the Mustangs took a 31-26 advantage into halftime.

The Lady Trojans’ offense struggled in the second half, scoring 18 points in 16 minutes of play. Munising recorded 35 points in the same span and picked up the win. The Mustangs committed 17 turnovers compared to 29 for Forest Park.

Junior Elsie Williams led the Lady Trojans with 21 points. She also tallied three assists, two rebounds and six steals. Forest Park also received contributions from Harper Anderson (2 assists), Kaidince Woollard (5 points, 1 assist, 2 steals), Audrey Williams (5 points, 1 assist, 2 rebounds), Evie Anderson (6 points, 1 rebound, 2 steals), Lily Sarder (1 rebound, 1 steal), Khali Woollard (3 points, 1 steal), Aubrey Waara-Shamion (5 rebounds, 1 steal) and Dalaney Wagner (4 points, 1 rebound).

The Lady Trojans are back in action on Friday at home against West Iron County (2-12, 1-7).