GLADSTONE---The Gladstone High School girls basketball team won regional championships in each of the last two years by playing suffocating defense.
This 2012-'13 version of the Braves has a lot of inexperience, but Thursday night, it was a bit of deja vu' as Gladstone topped the Menominee Maroons, 49-39, in Gladstone.
Gladstone took a 17-6 lead after the first quarter, and cruised to a 26-10 lead at halftime. The girls caused numerous Menominee turnovers, especially in the second quarter, by playing an aggressive full-court press and half-court trap defense.
Gladstone scored the first basket of the third quarter to make it a 28-10 lead, but the Maroons did not go quietly. Menominee became much more attacking on defense, and were able to cut that 18-point deficit in half. The Maroons closed to within 34-26 early in the fourth quarter as Gladstone went on an offensive dry spell.
But the turning point came moments later when the Maroons were trying to get even closer. Allia Stewart drove toward the baseline and collided into Hongisto. Stewart was called for the offensive foul, and then was called for a technical foul and was ejected from the game as she argued with the official.
Anna Wulf stepped up and made two free throws, and the Braves got the ball. Gladstone rebuilt its lead 44-30 from there. Menominee closed to within 44-35 when Courtney Conery got a three-pointer and Paige Owens got a steal and basket seconds later.
But the Braves went to the free throw line frequently down the stretch, with two Menominee girls fouling out along the way.
Gladstone shot 23 free throws in the fourth quarter alone, making 15. Alison Austin was 8-for-10 from the line in the fourth quarter.
For the game, Gladstone was 21-of-35 from the foul line. Menominee shot just 11 free throws in the game, making six.
Hongisto scored 11 points for Gladstone, which improved to 7-5 on the season. Austin and Callie Jensen both scored eight points. Paige Owens scored ten points, all of them in the fourth quarter, to lead Menominee.
The Maroons fell to 6-8 on the season. Menominee has lost four straight games.
Gladstone and Menominee will meet again in Menominee on Saturday, February 9. That is a make-up game from an earlier game that was postponed by bad weather. The Braves also have to schedule a make-up game from this past Tuesday, when their contest with Negaunee was postponed.
Click the thumbnails in the "ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS" box to see photos and videos. Thanks to Nate Bellville for handling the camera duties.
This 2012-'13 version of the Braves has a lot of inexperience, but Thursday night, it was a bit of deja vu' as Gladstone topped the Menominee Maroons, 49-39, in Gladstone.
Maroon Paige Owens (12) and Braves' Jess Beaudry (32) go for a rebound Thursday.
Gladstone scored the first basket of the third quarter to make it a 28-10 lead, but the Maroons did not go quietly. Menominee became much more attacking on defense, and were able to cut that 18-point deficit in half. The Maroons closed to within 34-26 early in the fourth quarter as Gladstone went on an offensive dry spell.
But the turning point came moments later when the Maroons were trying to get even closer. Allia Stewart drove toward the baseline and collided into Hongisto. Stewart was called for the offensive foul, and then was called for a technical foul and was ejected from the game as she argued with the official.
Anna Wulf stepped up and made two free throws, and the Braves got the ball. Gladstone rebuilt its lead 44-30 from there. Menominee closed to within 44-35 when Courtney Conery got a three-pointer and Paige Owens got a steal and basket seconds later.
Gladstone shot 23 free throws in the fourth quarter alone, making 15. Alison Austin was 8-for-10 from the line in the fourth quarter.
For the game, Gladstone was 21-of-35 from the foul line. Menominee shot just 11 free throws in the game, making six.
Hongisto scored 11 points for Gladstone, which improved to 7-5 on the season. Austin and Callie Jensen both scored eight points. Paige Owens scored ten points, all of them in the fourth quarter, to lead Menominee.
The Maroons fell to 6-8 on the season. Menominee has lost four straight games.
Gladstone's Callie Jensen with the steal; Alexis St. Cyr with the hoop.
Click the thumbnails in the "ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS" box to see photos and videos. Thanks to Nate Bellville for handling the camera duties.
Gladstone's Lexi Hongisto (40) dribbles past Menominee's Paige Owens (12) during Thursday's game.
