MARQUETTE — Presently, there is no bigger challenge in U.P. boys basketball circles than the Marquette Sentinels.

The Sentinels have been the top-ranked team in Division 1-3 in the Upper Peninsula Sportswriter and Sportscasters poll for much of the season and are the No. 11 team in the latest Associated Press Division 1 state poll.

After suffering two losses early in the season, Marquette has been on a tear, winning 17 straight games heading into Tuesday night’s game against visiting Forest Park.

But in many ways, the Trojans have matched the Sentinels’ success, posting 19 wins in their first 20 games to earn the top-rank in the UPSSA Division 4 poll and the No. 2 rank in the AP’s Division 4 state poll.

So when the two teams took the court at Barb Crill Gymnasium, the possibility for an intriguing battle was high.

And the squads didn’t disappoint as Forest Park grabbed an early lead.

But Marquette fought back with a strong second quarter and eventually subdued the Trojans for an 82-67 win.

Impressively, the Trojans, who basically go with a seven-man rotation, played competitive basketball against Marquette, which goes deep into its bench of big and athletic players.

“I was really proud of my team last night,” FP head coach Jason Price said Wednesday. “They came to play and competed right with Marquette.”

The Trojans started the game with an explosive first quarter, taking a 20-14 lead on seven points each from Vic Giuliani and Gabe Quevedo, four points from Dax Huuki and a bucket from Kevin Giuliani.

After Vic Giuliani recorded two buckets to give his team a 24-20 lead three minutes into the second frame, Marquette went on a 10-0 run to turn the tables on the Trojans (19-2).

Michigan Tech signee Jacob MacPhee sank two driving layups during the run that put the Sentinels (19-2) up for good as it turned out.

With its increased ball pressure in the second period, Marquette forced seven FP turnovers and finished the half with a 40-33 edge.

The third quarter was played evenly with the Trojans pulling within 60-54 heading into the fourth. The Sentinels put up another 22 in the fourth and held FP to 13 to finish the game with the 15-point victory.

Both teams shot the ball well in the game. The Trojans sank 20 of 35 shots from the floor (57.1 percent) while Marquette hit 23 of 46 (50 percent).

Forest Park struggled a bit from the line going 18 of 29 (62 percent). On the other hand, the Sentinels connected on 24 of 28 (85.7) of their chances.

Vic Giuliani once again had a big night offensively for FP, finishing with 31 points on 10 of 14 from the field and 10 of 17 from the line. His older brother Kevin added 16 points and five rebounds.

Other Trojan scorers included Quevedo with seven, Huuki with six, Izaiah Tarter with three and Matt Showers with two. Showers also recorded a team-high seven rebounds and dished out three assists.

MacPhee led all scorers with 31 points, while senior point guard Jaxon Jurmu finished with 18, including 10 of 10 from the foul line.

Reflecting on the game one day after, Price certainly felt the trip to Marquette County was worth it.

“Great game for us to have on the schedule.”

MOUNTAINEERS 60, MINERS 43

NEGAUNEE — It was senior Oskar Kangas’ night on Tuesday as the Iron Mountain boys varsity basketball team took on Negaunee.

Kangas racked up 39 points, including five 3-pointers, and the Mountaineers (18-3, 10-1) overwhelmed the Miners (13-8, 8-4) for a 60-43 West PAC-East win.

Iron Mountain also received contributions from Gerald Sampoll-Torres (8 points), Evan Copley (7 points), Brayden Kassin (2 points) and Aiden Ellis (4 points).

The Mountaineers were 11-for-14 from the charity stripe.

Iron Mountain wraps up its regular season schedule today in Houghton against the Gremlins.

BADGERS 75, SOARING EAGLES 72

WILSON — On Tuesday, the Niagara boys varsity basketball team made the trip over the Michigan border to face Hannahville Nah Tah Wahsh (15-4, 8-0) in a nonconference game.

The Badgers (16-5, 11-3) survived the Soaring Eagles’ 3-point barrage and escaped with a 75-72 win.

Niagara leaned on junior Brayden Bartels in the first quarter. He tallied 10 points while senior Dante Stachowicz added four, and the Badgers took a 21-15 advantage into the second.

Nah Tah Wahsh didn’t have an answer for Bartels in the next eight minutes. He racked up 13 points. Senior Alex Tripp added four points, giving Niagara a 43-35 advantage at halftime.

The Soaring Eagles rallied in the locker room and started the third quarter rolling.

They outscored the Badgers 17-13 in the frame and cut the deficit to one point after three quarters. Senior Cameron Schiefelbein led Niagara with six points in the third.

Bartels led all scorers in the contest with 29 points.

Niagara also received contributions from Tripp (8 points), Gavin Neuens (2 points), Stachowicz (12 points), Easton Holmes (3 points), Schiefelbein (13 points) and Christian Anderson (8 points).

The Badgers are back home today against Marinette & Oconto Conference foe Crivitz. After that, they have two games left in the regular season.

NORDICS 70, PURPLE HORNETS 39

L’ANSE — It was a busy two days for the North Dickinson boys varsity basketball team as it wrapped up the 2024-25 regular season.

On Monday, the Nordics (16-5, 5-3) were in Rapid River, picking up a 30-point win. They made the trip to L’Anse on Tuesday and handled the Purple Hornets, 70-39.

“We had a very good start,” North Dickinson head coach Chris Mattson said. “We had a 43-6 advantage at halftime. Defensively, we were turning them over and converting on the other end. It was a huge game from a lot of the boys.”

North Dickinson jumped on L’Anse right away in the first quarter, opening up a 21-4 advantage. Sophomore Trenton Kramer led the way with eight points, while junior Ty King added seven.

The Nordics turned up the defensive pressure in the second quarter, holding the Purple Hornets to two points.

King led all scorers in the frame with nine points, Spencer Kramer added five and Richard Haney tallied four. North Dickinson led 43-6 at halftime.

L’Anse rallied the troops in the third quarter and Sam Lee scored 14 points. However, it wasn’t enough to keep up with the Nordics. They took a 60-22 lead into the final frame.

Trenton Kramer led all scorers in the contest with 18 points.

“He really played well offensively in the low post for us,” Mattson said.

North Dickinson also received contributions from King (16 points, 16 rebounds), Tyler Fleming (6 points), Brady Jungwirth (3 points, 11 assists), Mason Anderson (2 points), Spencer Kramer (12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists), David Madigan (3 points), Haney (8 points) and Mason Florenski (2 points).

Against the Rockets on Monday, King led the way with 19 points.

The Nordics also received contributions from Lucas Steinbrecher (3 points), Trenton Kramer (12 points), Fleming (3 points), Jungwirth (8 points), Anderson 11 points), Spencer Kramer (4 points), Haney (2 points) and Florenski (2 points).

Now, North Dickinson received a first-round bye in the MHSAA Division 4 playoffs and will face the winner of Feb. 24’s Mid Peninsula and Big Bay de Noc matchup.

“I’m satisfied with how the year went, and I’m looking forward to playing in the districts,” Mattson said. “Our team is playing well right now, and we’re excited to start district play.

Daily News sports editor Sean Chase contributed to this report.