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Mesick gave the Warriors a battle for most of the first three quarters before Forest Area finally worn the Bulldogs down and won, 69-59 last Monday.

The Warriors led, 18-14 after the first quarter. But, the Bulldogs came back to take a 34-30 lead at the half.

Forest Area overtook the Bulldogs at the end of the third period to take a 49-48 lead into the fourth quarter.

Mitchell Core led the Warriors in scoring with 25 points, including a 7-of-9 performance at the free throw line.

Core also hauled down 10 rebounds and came away with 6 steals.

Karl Snyder followed Core in scoring for the Warriors with 21 points. He was 5-of-6 at the free throw line, dished out 4 assists. Matt Kelly contributed 10 points.

The Warriors shot a respectable 69 percent from the free throw line. It showed a marked improvement over their season's average from the stripe.

Forest Area usually plays Mesick in the Bulldogs' Christmas tournament.

Mesick eliminated the Christmas tournament after girls basketball was moved to the winter.

The Warriors defeated Inland Lakes, 51-45 in a Ski Valley Conference game last Friday night.

Forest Area led, 11-5 at the end of the first quarter and stretched that to 25-18 at the half.

It was an 11-point margin, 38-27 after three quarters.

Leading scorer for the Warriors was Tyler Denike with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals.

Core added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Kelly and Bob Hatfield contributed 6 points apiece.

Johannesburg-Lewiston ended Forest Area's brief three-game winning streak, 75-69 last Saturday night.

Kelly had 18 points and 3 steals for the Warriors. Core added 17 points and 8 rebounds.

Snyder and Hatfield finished with 10 points each. Hatfield also grabbed 4 rebounds.

Forest Area committed 22 turnovers, and was only 9-of-27 from the free throw line.

The Warriors led at the end of the first quarter, 14-11. Johannesburg turned the tables on Forest Area in the second and grabbed a 29-24 halftime lead. It was 52-42 after three periods.

"Johannesburg is a good team," coach Bobby Nix said. "They only lost to Bellaire by two the night before.

"They came to play both nights. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they win the rest of their games.

"Big and quick, they like to run. They make their free throws (23-of-38). We just didn't shoot well there."

Forest Area is 10-5 overall and 7-4 in the Ski Valley. The Warriors host Bellaire on Wednesday (tonight) and Onaway Friday