FELCH TOWNSHIP, MI – In a nail-biting showcase of Upper Peninsula high school basketball, the North Dickinson Cardinals narrowly defeated the Forest Park Trojans with a final score of 52-50 on Tuesday night. The game, held at North Dickinson High School, saw multiple lead changes and a flurry of late-game heroics that left fans on the edge of their seats.
The Cardinals, known for their tenacious defense and opportunistic offense, improved their season record to 6-2, while the Trojans suffered a tough loss, falling to 4-3. The game served as a key early-season test for both teams as they jockey for position in the Skyline Central Conference.
“It was a hard-fought battle from start to finish,” said North Dickinson Head Coach Mike Roell. “Forest Park is a tough team, and they came ready to play. I’m proud of our guys for battling through adversity and finding a way to win.”
The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening tip-off. The first quarter ended with the Cardinals holding a slim 14-12 lead, fueled by early baskets from senior guard Jared Miller, who finished the night with a game-high 20 points. Forest Park countered with a strong inside presence, led by junior forward Tommy Showers, who contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds for the Trojans.
The second quarter saw Forest Park surge ahead, outscoring North Dickinson 15-10. Showers' dominance in the paint, coupled with timely three-pointers from sophomore guard Preston Gauthier, gave the Trojans a 27-24 advantage heading into halftime.
Coming out of the break, North Dickinson intensified their defensive pressure, forcing several Forest Park turnovers. The Cardinals capitalized on these opportunities, converting them into easy baskets and regaining the lead midway through the third quarter. Senior forward Antonio Inglese added 12 points for North Dickinson, providing a crucial spark on both ends of the floor. The third quarter concluded with the Cardinals ahead 40-36.
The fourth quarter was a rollercoaster of emotions for both teams and their fans. Forest Park mounted a furious comeback, narrowing the gap to just one point with less than a minute remaining. Gauthier hit a clutch three-pointer to tie the game at 50-50 with 30 seconds left on the clock.
With the game on the line, North Dickinson point guard Ethan Hoffman drove to the basket and drew a foul with just 5 seconds remaining. Hoffman calmly sank both free throws, giving the Cardinals a 52-50 lead. Forest Park had one last chance to tie or take the lead, but their desperation three-point attempt at the buzzer fell short.
“We knew it was going to be a close game,” said Forest Park Head Coach Jerry Brouillette. “North Dickinson is a well-coached team, and they made some big plays down the stretch. We had our chances, but we just couldn’t quite get it done.”
Despite the loss, Brouillette praised his team’s effort and resilience. “I’m proud of our guys for fighting until the very end. We’ll learn from this experience and come back stronger.”
For North Dickinson, the win was a significant confidence booster as they continue their season. The Cardinals will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next game against Norway on Friday. Forest Park will try to rebound from the defeat when they face West Iron County on the road, also on Friday.
The game highlighted the exciting brand of basketball being played in the Upper Peninsula and showcased the talent and dedication of young athletes from both schools. The thrilling finish ensured that this matchup will be remembered as a classic in the rivalry between the Cardinals and the Trojans.
