NEGAUNEE — The Negaunee High School girls basketball team used a strong second quarter to win its season opener Tuesday 59-38 over Gladstone.

Clara Johnson led the Miners with 17 points, while Aleda Johnson added 13.

Up by only three points after one quarter, the Miners outscored the Braves 19-8 in the second to take a 38-24 halftime lead.

“Our defense really stepped it up,” Negaunee head coach Brandon Sager said. “I don’t know if it was first-game jitters or what, but we didn’t do what we normally do. Eventually, we settled in and got some easy baskets on transition shots.”

Negaunee also won the JV game 46-16. The Miners play at Manistique Friday.

Munising 74, Manistique 29

At Munising, the Mustangs held the Emerald scoreless in the first quarter and rolled to a victory in their first game.

Frankie Mattson led Munising with 22 points, while Kianne Wendt had 17 and Marissa Immel had 10.

Up 24-0 after the opening period, the Mustangs kept their foot on the gas pedal and took a 46-14 lead into the break.

“We played very well in the first half and did a good job defensively,” Munising head coach Matt Mattson said. “Frankie had 20 points at the half and Kianne took over from there. Our post players had a great night.”

The Mustangs also won the JV game 60-20. Munising hosts Engadine on Monday.

Lake Linden-Hubbell 68, Republic-Michigamme 19

At Lake Linden, the Lakes took care of business early in an easy season-opening win.

LL-H’s Alexa Destrampe led all scorers with 21 points, while Tailyn Raisanen led the Hawks with nine points.

“This was a rough one,” R-M head coach April Radcliffe said. “We’re a young team and we’re just trying to find our way right now. We had some good ball movement though.”

LL-H also won the JV game 51-12. R-M hosts Chassell Friday.

Houghton 61, Baraga 39

At Houghton, Carsyn Osterman scored 17 points and fellow senior Casey Mleko 12 for the Vikings in both teams’ season opener.

Tawna Ryynanen made 4 of 8 3-pointers for 15 points to lead Houghton, who also got the same number of points from Sloane Zenner.

“I thought Baraga played hard and worked hard on the defensive end,” Houghton head coach Julie Filpus said. “It’s good to be tested… The game was a lot closer than we wanted it to be, but it’s a W and a step in the right direction.”

The Gremlins jumped out to an 8-2 start and never trailed.

“We have got to do the no-talent things better than the other team,” Baraga coach Keith Willis said. “It doesn’t take any talent to run down the court, doesn’t take any talent to box out.”

Up next, Houghton travels to L’Anse on Tuesday, while Baraga hosts Ewen-Trout Creek on Thursday.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg with contributions from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette. Stieg’s email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.