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Redettes, Mustangs, Indians earn district titles

By Journal Sports Staff

GAYLORD – In a game highlighted by runs and spurts, the Marquette Senior High School girls basketball team held off host Gaylord down the stretch for a 45-41 victory on Friday night.

The Redettes (21-2) captured the Class A district title with the victory, advancing to the regional semifinals against Saginaw Heritage (21-1) back in Gaylord at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The Hawks spent most of the season at the No. 1 team in Class A, finishing second in the final Associated Press poll a week and a half ago.

Marquette took a 10-7 lead after one quarter, only to have the Blue Devils take a 11-10 lead early in the second.

The game remained that way for several minutes until MSHS ended the first half on a three-minute-long 15-0 run to take a 25-11 advantage at halftime.

Great Northern Conference MVP Terese Ledy hit a 3-pointer early in the second half to go with several she made during the first-half run to put Marquette up 28-11.

But Gaylord closed to within 35-26 by the end of the period, then continued to draw closer.

“They’ve had a lot of injury problems, but they were starting to get their players back,” MSHS coach Ben Smith said. “They played hard and kept the pressure on us.

“We missed a couple free throws and a couple shots and they gained some ground.”

He said the Blue Devils didn’t get closer than the final four-point margin, however.

“We’d make one or two free throws when they’d get a basket,” Smith said.

Ledy led all players with 21 points and shared team rebounding honors with Kelsey Grange, each with six. Ledy also made two of MSHS’ three blocked shots.

Teammate Amber Huebner added 12 points as she hit all six of her free throw tries. The Redettes made 15 of 20 overall.

Casey Korte led Gaylord with 18 points, including 10 of 14 on free throws, while Brandi Wagner added nine points.

Munising 72,

Rapid River 28

At Munising Friday night, the host Mustangs jumped out to a 23-5 first quarter lead in capturing their second straight Class D district tournament championship.

“We wanted to come out strong and fast,” Munising head coach Matt Mattson said. “We played some fantastic defense.

“We allowed only one basket in the first quarter and that set the tone.”

Munising will take on Forest Park at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in regional play in Kingsford.

Marissa Immel led the Mustangs (19-3) offensively against the Rockets with 18 points. Frankie Mattson – the coach’s daughter – tossed in 16 to go with 11 boards and Kelsea Ackerman added 14.

“We created a lot of turnovers,” coach Mattson said. “We got steals and then some layups. Our defensive pressure led to some offense for us.”

Hannah Kanyuh paced Rapid River (7-16) with 13 points and seven rebounds.

Newberry 59,

Rudyard 31

At Engadine Friday night, the Newberry High School girls basketball team took a 36-14 lead at the half and cruised from there in winning its second straight Class D district tournament championship.

Kelsey Huffman poured in 19 points to power the Indians (21-1), who will meet Posen (21-2) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in regional action.

Taylor Bryant added 12 points and a team-high 13 rebounds for Newberry.

“Our defensive full court pressure was outstanding,” Newberry head coach Fred Bryant said. “Huffman had four steals off our press and that led to some easy buckets.

“We shot the ball effectively and were getting good opportunities to score with good looks,” coach Bryan said. “We probably could have scored 25-30 points in the first quarter (the Indians scored 19).”

Sierra Molina led Rudyard with 10 points. Teammate Hannah Beelen chipped in six rebounds.

Information compiled by Senior Sports Writer Craig Remsburg and Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. They can be reached at 906-228-2500, or via email at sports@miningjournal.net.

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