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Maroons Ramp Up Defense To Eliminate Braves
 MENOMINEE---The Gladstone Braves girls basketball season came to an end Wednesday night as the Menominee Maroons used an aggressive defense to beat Gladstone, 55-45, in the Class B district semifinals in Menominee. "I thought we struggled offensively the most we have all year," Gladstone Coach Karl Dollhopf said. "We couldn't get into a flow. In the first half, we kind of survived on our defense and rebounding. But I thought for the most part, it was kind of a struggle."  The Braves missed all six of their free throws in the first quarter. In the end, the Braves made just 12 of 30 free throws, while Menominee went 25-of-35. Menominee led, 10-5, after the first quarter, and 21-18 at the half. Gladstone managed just seven points in the third quarter, and early in the fourth quarter, the Maroons built a 38-25 lead as Amanda Pederson and Lexi Christian each scored three baskets. "Their 'bigs' played well and were aggressive underneath," Dollhopf said. "We didn't get any real good looks. Credit to Menominee. They were the better team today."  
Jessica Beaudry flips one up and scores the "and one"
But the Maroons answered with a couple of free throws. Alexis St. Cyr came back with a hoop to close the gap to 45-39, but Gladstone got no closer the rest of the way.  The Maroons (13-7) will host the Houghton Gremlins in Friday night's Class B District championship game. For the Braves, the season ends with a 15-7 record, which included an eight-game winning streak that ended with Wednesday night's playoff loss. "I told the girls that I'm very proud of them," Dollhopf said. "This was one game. All the senior leadership that we had, I'm proud of this group. Sometimes, you just don't shoot the ball well. Menominee did some nice things. That happens. But it wasn't because of a lack of effort. It wasn't because the girls quit. They were an honor to coach." Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos taken in this game by Nate Bellville and Mike Dagenais.  |
| Date | Time | Opponent | Score | Record |
12/3 |
7:30 PM |
Negaunee Miners
|
43 - 30 (W)
|
1-0
|
12/6 |
7:30 PM |
at Gwinn Model Towners
|
56 - 41 (W)
|
2-0
|
12/10 |
7:30 PM |
at Marquette Redmen
|
35 - 46 (L)
|
2-1
|
12/12 |
7:00 PM |
Ishpeming Hematites
|
35 - 50 (L)
|
2-2
|
12/17 |
7:15 PM |
Kingsford Flivvers
|
59 - 51 (W)
|
3-2
|
12/19 |
7:15 PM |
Big Bay deNoc Black Bears
|
67 - 24 (W)
|
4-2
|
12/28 |
3:00 PM |
at Houghton Gremlins
|
58 - 66 (L)
|
4-3
|
1/3 |
7:15 PM |
Escanaba Eskymos
|
51 - 42 (W)
|
5-3
|
1/10 |
7:30 PM |
Manistique Emeralds
|
72 - 25 (W)
|
6-3
|
1/14 |
7:15 PM |
Marquette Redmen
|
37 - 52 (L)
|
6-4
|
1/21 |
7:30 PM |
Menominee Maroons
|
43 - 50 (L)
|
6-5
|
1/23 |
7:30 PM |
at Big Bay deNoc Black Bears
|
75 - 26 (W)
|
7-5
|
2/4 |
7:30 PM |
at Ishpeming Hematites
|
36 - 51 (L)
|
7-6
|
2/6 |
7:30 PM |
at Westwood Patriots
|
71 - 38 (W)
|
8-6
|
2/8 |
3:00 PM |
at Menominee Maroons
|
45 - 37 (W)
|
9-6
|
2/10 |
7:30 PM |
at Escanaba Eskymos
|
67 - 59 (W)
|
10-6
|
2/12 |
7:30 PM |
at Negaunee Miners
|
51 - 22 (W)
|
11-6
|
2/15 |
3:00 PM |
Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils
|
58 - 47 (W)
|
12-6
|
2/18 |
8:00 PM |
at Kingsford Flivvers
|
49 - 39 (W)
|
13-6
|
2/22 |
2:00 PM |
Iron Mountain Mountaineers
|
43 - 30 (W)
|
14-6
|
2/24 |
7:00 PM |
at Kingsford Flivvers
|
53 - 43 (W)
|
15-6
|
2/26 |
7:00 PM |
at Menominee Maroons
|
45 - 55 (L)
|
15-7
|
