OH SO CLOSE! Gladstone Girls Fall In Houghton
HOUGHTON---The Gladstone Braves trailed the heavily-favored Houghton Gremlins by just one point in the fourth quarter Friday, but the Gremlins pulled away to post a 60-49 victory. The Gremlins won their third straight district championship. But it sure wasn't easy as the Braves, just 6-14 in the regular season, became a dangerous team in the post-season. Gladstone beat the favored Kingsford Flivvers in the district semifinals Wednesday night, and were bidding for an even bigger upset on Friday. Senior Alyssa Polley sank an early three-pointer to give the Braves a 7-3 lead, and Gladstone led, 13-9, late in the first quarter before settling for a 13-13 tie after the first eight minutes. In the second quarter, the Braves took their last lead at 22-21 before the Gremlins scored seven straight points to take a 28-22 lead into halftime. The Braves were in severe foul trouble, with Houghton shooting 12 free throws to Gladstone's zero in the first half. Gladstone senior Leigha Woelffer had three fouls at that point, and as the second half went on, four different girls had foul fouls apiece. Houghton built a 35-27 lead in the third quarter as Sloane Zenner and Tawna Ryynanen each bailed triples. But Gladstone battled back with a run of its own late in the third quarter, and after Taelor Zeise hit a pair of free throws, it was 39-38. Gladstone had three chances to take the lead early in the fourth quarter, but a missed three-pointer and a pair of turnovers gave the ball back to the Gremlins. And over the next three minutes, Houghton pulled away with a 10-0 run, making it a 49-38 game. Gladstone closed to within seven on a Woelffer three, but could get no closer as Maddie Ahlgren and Kaitlyn Hardwick fouled out and Houghton made its free throws. Zenner, who has more than 1,000 points in her career, led all scorers with 25 points. Taylor Hunter scored 17 points to lead Gladstone. Houghton improved to 20-1 on the season and will face Kalkaska in the Class B regional semifinals next Tuesday night. |