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Tuesday April 23, 2024
Third Time's The Charm For Kalkaska Girls, 58-57

MANISTIQUE---Kenzie Wilkinson's put-back at the final buzzer gave the Kalkaska High School girls basketball team a 58-57 win over the Houghton Gremlins in the Class B regional semifinal game Tuesday night in Manistique.

Houghton had ended Kalkaska's season in each of the last two years.

"My kids have worked so hard, for so long, and just haven't been able to get over the hump," an emotionally-drained Kalkaska Coach Dave Dalton said. "We've had to play this great Houghton team, we've had to drive up to the U.P. to play them every time and play them in the U.P."

"They've been a nemesis for us. I think we had that coming," Dalton continued. "Things were due to go in our favor, and sometimes they just do. Two great teams playing a great game."

"We are blessed to come out ahead and I couldn't be happier for my kids."

His Blazers were behind, 17-6, late in the first quarter as the Gremlins got off to a hot start from the field. But the defensive intensity picked up in the second quarter, and Houghton's lead was down to two at halftime. From there, it was a back-and-forth war.

Houghton took a 57-56 lead when Kendra Monette had her shot blocked by Wilkinson, but the ball fell into the hands of Kara Pietila. She put it homer to give the Gremlins the lead with 22 seconds left. Kalkaska dribbled across half-court and called time out.

Out of the time out, the Blazers had their first option cut off by the Gremlin defense, and that led to a three-point attempt by Natalie Ryckman, who had made four of them earlier in the game. She missed, but Wilkinson was there for the rebound and winning shot.

"It was a good battle, and I thought that we got ourselves in the driver's seat but didn't take advantage of taking that nine-point lead and turning it into a 20-point lead," Houghton Coach Julie Filpus said. "We had some turnovers and let them hit some big shots, and that just kind of gave them some confidence moving on."

Sloane Zenner, who scored 28 pointsd against Kalkaska in last year's regional semifinal, scored 16 this time. Tawna Ryynanen buried three long triples in the third quarter and finished with nine points. Harlee Froberg also had two long three's and scored eight.

Ryckman scored 14 points to lead for Blazers in double figures. Kayla Cavanaugh scored 12 points (eight of them in the second half),  while Mica Lajewski scored 11 points (nine of them in the third quarter). Wilkinson scored ten, including the biggest two.

Kalkaska hosts Cadillac in Thursday's regional championship game.

Click the above headline to see photos and video highlights taken by Nate Bellville. Also, listen to the radio call of the final play, and interviews.









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Three U.P. Schools Changing MHSAA Classifications
Tuesday March 28, 2017
Big Third Quarter Propels Houghton Past Gladstone
Tuesday December 27, 2016