Gladstone junior Addy Blowers (1) celebrates a win over Houghton with senior Mayce Hanson on Dec. 19, 2024 at Gladstone High School. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — If you are an individual who struggles with blood pressure issues, well, Thursday’s girls’ basketball showdown between Gladstone and Houghton was not for you.

After an intense 32 minutes, Gladstone improved to a flawless 6-0 with a nail-biting 39-36 win over the Gremlins.

“We talked about how important this win is going into winter break. How different the practices will feel coming off a win or a loss over the next two weeks of no games,” Braves head coach Andy Cretens said. “It feels good coming off a win here going into break.”

The Braves held control of momentum for a majority of the first half, but couldn’t muster the run to put away the Gremlins (4-2). Houghton lingered within one basket for a majority of the first half. Then a triple from junior Lexie Burns tied the showdown at 18.

But the Braves mustered one last push to close the first 16 minutes. Junior Addy Blowers connected from downtown and junior Lillie Johnson connected in the paint for a 23-18 lead.

Then Johnson made her presence felt on the defensive end of the floor. The Gremlins fed senior center Eva Gerard in the paint with under 10 seconds to go. Her first attempt was unsuccessful. Her second attempt was blocked by Johnson with under 5 seconds to go. Johnson retrieved the loose ball in the corner and heaved a desperation missile as the buzzer sounded.

It gave Gladstone a five-point advantage entering the break. An advantage which proved mighty in the game’s final 16 minutes.

It was an advantage the Gremlins couldn’t erase no matter how hard they tried. But the effort was anything but unnoticeable.

“We loved everything about their game,” Gremlins coach Julie Filpus said. “It was a good battle, and we stepped up to the physical part of the game. We have to step up in areas that we need to grow into.”

Houghton pulled within one point late in the third, but two successful trips to the free throw line pushed the Braves advantage back to five as Gerard, a Second Team All U.P. selection last season, picked up her fourth foul with 5.8 seconds remaining in the third.

A 7-2 run to open the fourth frame by Houghton evened the scoreboard. Then Johnson connected from 3-point range to claim the lead back.

A hook shot from sophomore Ellie Nainault pulled the Gremlins back to within one. Johnson responded with a layup for a 38-35 lead.

The Gremlins ensuing possession was unsuccessful. Gladstone freshman Tiahna Reynolds secured the rebound. Gerard, the Gremlins’ lone senior, also boogied toward the boards with a decent amount of steam in hopes of also gathering the rebound. She was unsuccessful, picking up her fifth foul with 1:43 remaining in the process.

In the end Gladstone’s plan of attack of pressuring Houghton’s guards and cutting off most inside feeds to Gerard proved to be mostly successful. She finished with nine points.

It was also the plan to get her in foul trouble

“We watched (Houghton’s) game against West Iron County. (The Wykons) got her in foul trouble in the first half and she didn’t play much. I think that’s what kept West Iron County in the game,” Johnson explained. “That’s what we tried to do. We got in in the fourth quarter. That really helped us.”

Both squads exchanged a free throw, but Houghton had the ball last down by three points. A win was still in reach.

But Gladstone senior Mayce Hanson poked the ball free, Johnson collected the steal and dribbled the clock down to zero.

Gladstone improved to 6-0 in their closest contest to date.

“They play so hard,” Cretens said. They’re invested and they care. It’s important to them. Some other teams, players and kids play because they want to have fun. These girls want to win and want to compete.”

Takeaways

Gladstone: By most accounts Johnson had an off night shooting. There were at least seven instances where a shot that normally drops refused to go through the net like a toddler refusing to try broccoli.

Despite the ice cold shooting night Johnson led all scorers with 20 points.

Houghton: With one senior, five juniors and five sophomores the Gremlins are a young team. Yet, their only losses were Thursday’s three-point defeat to the Braves and a 57-46 home loss to Negaunee in Houghton’s second game of the season.

The Gremlins, at the least, will make March interesting in districts with Neganunee, Gladstone, Escanaba and Kingsford.

Next games

Houghton: Hosts Baraga on Jan. 3.

Gladstone: Idle until Jan. 2 when it hosts Escanaba.

Box score

Houghton 7 11 8 10 — 36

Gladstone 10 13 8 8 — 39

Houghton — Hainault 9, Zawada 13, Burns 3, Sleeman 2, Gerard 9; FT: 8-10; Fouls: 15; Fouled out: Gerard; 3-point baskets: Zawada 1, Burns 1

Gladstone — Blowers 6, Hanson 6, Ostlund 2, Reynolds 3, Johnson 20, Wetthuhn 2; FT: 8-11; Fouls: 18; Fouled out: none; 3-point baskets: Blowers 2, Johnson 1