Gladstone coach Andy Cretens chats with the Braves during a timeout against Manistique on Jan. 23, 2025 at Gladstone High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — A 34-point effort from junior Lillie Johnson led Gladstone girls basketball to a 72-28 victory over Manistique here Thursday.

Johnson scored the first six points of the contest on a trio of layups. Moments later Johnson drove hard to the basket for the layup and the foul to put the Braves up 9-2.

“I really felt like I was in a groove tonight,” Johnson said. “When I looked up and saw I scored the first nine points, it really got the energy going not just for me but for my teammates as well. Then that led to everyone getting rolling and we took off from there.”

Emeralds senior Ryleigh Rice hit a 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter to cut the deficit to 12-8.

Manistique junior Kyra Carlson split a pair of free throws to start the second quarter.

The Braves answered with a 12-0 run, as Addy Blowers knocked down a 3-pointer from the wing and Johnson followed it up with a 3-pointer of her own to put the Braves up 18-9. Moments later off a Emeralds turnover Johnson drove through the lane, threw up a wild shot that dropped and drew the foul and converted the three-point play to extend the lead to 21-9.

“We are on a good roll right now as a team,” Johnson said. “We knew we had to pressure the ball and force turnovers because that leads to easy transition opportunities.”

Gladstone sophomore Eva Pankonien knocked down a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 24-9. And the Braves took a 39-19 lead into the halftime break.

“Lillie was more aggressive tonight,” Braves coach Andy Cretens said. “They were running a zone defense and letting her get the ball inside which led to a lot of points early on.”

The Braves went on a 12-0 run over the last part of third and into the fourth quarter as Lillie knocked down a pair of free throws and Blowers hit her second 3-pointer of the night to highlight the run and extend the Braves lead to 66-24.

“I have to give credit to Gladstone,” Emeralds coach Dan Giles said. “They are a top two team in the U.P. and they are a well rounded team. We were able to run some good offensive sets tonight which is encouraging to see. We have been working in practice on decision making and when to make the right pass to get the open shot.”

Pankonien and Blowers each had nine points for the Braves. Kyra Carlson and Maya Carlson each had six points to lead the Emeralds.

The Braves return to action on Tuesday as they host Negaunee.

Box score

Manistique 8 11 5 4 — 28

Gladstone 12 27 17 16 — 72

Manistique — M. Carlson 6, Rice 3, K. Carlson 6, Zellar 3, Alfonso 3, McDade3, Spettel 2, Brewster 2. FT: 8-15; F: 13; Fouled Out: None; 3-pointers Rice 1, Alfonso 1

Gladstone — Blowers 9, Hanson 8, Pankonien 9, Ostlund 4, Reynolds 6, Johnson 34, Wetthuhn 2. FT: 13-19; F: 14; Fouled Out: None; 3-pointers: Pankonien 3, Blowers 2, Hanson 2, Reynolds 1, Johnson 1