Gladstone senior Mayce Hanson (white jersey) muscles her way to the hole past Kingsford junior Cassie Olson (34) during a game on Feb. 18, 2025 at Gladstone High School. (Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — Flawless: without any blemishes or imperfections; perfect.

Flawless also describes what No. 2 Gladstone girls basketball did in Great Northern Conference play this season.

Behind a domination team defensive effort in the second half and a monster third quarter from junior Lillie Johnson led the charge as the Braves knocked off Kingsford 63-18 and finish 8-0 in GNC action.

“To win it back-to-back years feels pretty good,” Braves coach Andy Cretens said. “To do it undefeated in the conference feels even better.”

With a 32-13 lead in hand entering the third quarter, Johnson did what Johnson does best –put the ball in the hoop.

The reigning First Team All-State selection netted 17 of her game-best 26 points in the second half, including 13-straight points and netted 15 as part of Gladstone’s 18-0 run to close the third quarter.

“When we execute, do what we need to do defensively and are in the right spots we can do some really good things,” Cretens said. “When we consistently execute in the right spots is frustrates other teams and takes away what they want to do. It’s hard to score.”

The win also cements their 8-0 record in GNC play. It’s the Braves’ second-straight GNC title and fourth conference tile in program history.

Next games

Gladstone: Hits the road to face Iron Mountain at 7:15 p.m. Thursday.

Kingsford: Trips to face Menominee at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Box score

Gladstone 15 17 22 9 –63

Kingsford 7 6 4 1 –18

Gladstone — Blowers 11, Quigley 6, Hanson 5, Pankonien 5, Ostlund 6, Reynolds 2, Johnson 26, Wetthuhn 2; FT: 5-8; Fouls: 8; 3-point baskets: Johnson 4, Blowers 3, Pankonien 1

Kingsford –Przeslakowski 1, Moore 2, Kowalski 1, Sundquist 4, Bortolini 2, Olson 8; FT: 2-5; Fouls: 9; 3-point baskets: none