BARAGA — After 32 minutes of basketball, the Baraga girls’ team was worn out.

But they found plenty of energy to lift up the MHSSA Division 4 District 98 trophy on Friday in front of their fans.

The Vikings defeated the Ontonagon Gladiators 51-43. It was the third consecutive district title victory for Baraga head coach Tom Goodreau and his girls.

“My coaching staff and I always preach that when you get out on the court, you have to give it your all,” he said. “Despite a slow start, we got there as we started pushing the ball up court and foud a good rhythm.”

Baraga faces Ewen-Trout Creek at 7 p.m. today in a regional semifinal at Jeffers.

Ontonagon took an early 8-6 lead to start the game, but a Baraga free throw and a three pointer by Corina Jahfetson made it a 10-10 game with less than two minutes to go. Another Baraga three put it 13-10 at the end of the first period.

Baraga put on a full-court press to start the second, and it was effective in getting turnovers and baskets. They Vikings outscored the Gladiators 7-5 and pulled into halftime with a 20-15 lead.

A five-point lead quickly turned into a ten-point 27-17 lead in the third as the Gladiators had trouble finding the net.

“We shot poorly tonight,” Ontonagon head coach Tim Routheaux said. “We didn’t have any threes, and that makes a difference.”

On the other hand, the Viking had five -four of them coming from Corina Jahfetson. She led the scoring with 16 points. Reide Osterman followed with 15.

“Reide is our floor general,” noted Goodreau. She does whatever is required to get us that point whether that’s on the offensive or defensive end of the court.”

The Vikings continued their strong play in the fourth and while the Gladiators came within eight point at 44-36, it wouldn’t be enough as the clock wound down.

For Ontonagon, Nicole Lukkari led the scoring with 17 points Makennah Uotila followed with 12.

Baraga will face Ewen Trout-Creek in regional semi-final action on Monday, and Goodreau knows that he and the Vikings have their work cut out.

“Ewen will be a tough match up,” he said, ” but we are going to give it all we got.”

OAHS 10 5 9 19 — 43

BHS 13 7 14 17 — 51

ONTONAGON (43): T. Menigoz 2, E. Menigoz 8, Kolpack 4, Uotila 12, Lukkari 17.

3-point FG: 0. FT: 13-21 F: 13

BARAGA (51): Koskinen 7, Osterman 15, C. Jahfetson 16, Lindemann 9, Durant 4.

3-point FG: (5) C. Jahfetson 4, Koskinen 7. FT: 16-21. F: 21.