MAGICAL RUN ENDS: Braves Fall In Quarterfinal

Click the thumbnails to see photos, and to hear post-game comments from Gladstone Coach Andy Cretens.

CHEBOYGAN---The best season in Gladstone High School girls basketball history for more than a decade came to an end Tuesday night as the Braves fell to the Frankemmuth Eagles, 56-36, in the state quarterfinals in Cheboygan.

The Braves jumped to an early 7-4 lead, but trailed at the end of the first quarter, 13-11, and never was able to regain the lead. Frankenmuth led at the half, 23-17, and used a box-and-one defense to stifle Gladstone's all-time leadinge scorer, Lillie Johnson.

Johnson was able to get free for six points in the third quarter, including a put-back that brought the Braves to within 33-29. But Gladstone was not able to get over the hump.

The Eagles scored the final five points of the third quartter to take a 48-39 lead, and then dominated the fourth quarter to earn a trip to the sttae semifinals at the MSU Breslin Center.

Johnson ended up with 20 points, bringing her Braves career total to 1,593 points, with her senior season still ahead.

"This became a lot more than just a basketball game," an emotional Braves Coach Andy Cretens said, tears flowing from his eyes. "An escort from Public Safety and the firefighters. We walked through the elementaty school. I told the girls, it's not just a game anymore. Our community has been unbelieveable with what they've dome for us. People have paid for so much stuff. Food. The fan busses. Grace Church letting us use their bus."