The Baraga High School varsity girls basketball team poses with the MHSAA Division 4 Regional 25 trophy after defeating Carney-Nadeau Thursday in Kingsford. (Todd Rose/Escanaba Daily Press)

KINGSFORD — Bolstered by a combined 53 points from Cori Jahfeston and Reide Osterman, the Baraga Vikings defeated the Carney-Nadeau Wolves 61-47 Thursday night to win the MHSAA Division 4 Regional 25 championship.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Baraga coach Tyler Larson. “It’s still a little surreal. I knew these kids had it in them, but the cards kind of have to fall right and tonight was a night that favored us. So, it’s exciting, fun to be a part of, and (we) just want to take a step back and soak in all in.”

A nip-and-tuck opening quarter ended 12-11 in favor of the Wolves as Carney was able to utilize senior Tessa Wagner and her height advantage down low to score 10 points, with two more from Grace Maule.

The Vikings gave the Wolves a taste of what was to come, however, as Osterman scored five points and a triple and a double while Jahfeston hit two threes.

In the second, the pair hit their stride — scoring 17 and 14, respectively — as the Vikings took the lead and extended it to 10 points, 31-21, at the half.

While Jahfeston was raining down threes — nine in total — Osterman combined her shooting with her speed to find her way to the bucket as well as hit four threes, herself.

Both girls shared their thoughts following the trophy presentation.

“It feels great,” said Jahfeston. “It’s amazing. It’s an amazing feeling. Sharing it with my teammates here it’s even better and all the fans. I did not think we were going to have this many fans and here we are. They were the best support team on the court.

“It means so much (to have that support). To have them just cheer, it’s so amazing to hear them go crazy after every shot. Every shot and every steal, it’s crazy.”

The game was a personal best — at 29 points total — for Jahfeston.

Osterman — a senior — scored 24 points for the Vikings and commented what the win, and the chance to compete for a state title, mean in her final year of high school ball.

“It feels awesome,” Osterman said. “I was so excited to play that game. Our whole team was excited. We were ready to win that game.

“It’s so exciting. I can’t believe it. It feels like life isn’t even real right now. It’s insane.”

She also commented on the chemistry between herself and Jahfeston and what it means in the postseason.

“(The chemistry) is huge. It’s a huge part,” she said. “We played together in middle school, so it just led up into high school. We’ve played together for a long time. It’s nice to have that chemistry because we’ve been playing together for so long.”

Makenna Hendrickson (5) and Kylie Michaelson (3) were the other two points contributors for the Vikings.

Though they were able to pull back within four points of the Vikings, Carney was just never able to get overcome the deficit, said coach Ken Linder.

“We played hard,” Linder commented. “We made a few runs at them. They got that 10-point lead, and we cut it to five or six twice, and we just couldn’t get over the hump. They just buried threes every time we cut into the lead.

“Going into the game, I told the girls they were going to have to make fifteen threes to beat us, and they did. Give them credit.”

Early game turnovers did not help the Wolves’ cause. However, Linder was quick to credit Baraga for their defensive performance in causing those turnovers.

“We turned it over, but that a credit to them,” he said. “They are quick, and they really jump the passing lanes.”

Wagner led Carney’s scoring with 18 points — and earned a double-double with 13 rebounds — in her final high school basketball game. Linder shared his feeling on what Wagner has meant to the program.

“She’s meant a lot. It’s going to be a tough loss,” he said. “We’re going to miss her. I’m going to miss her. I’ve been coaching her since 8th grade, so we’re pretty close. So, it’s a tough loss for us.”

Carley Messersmith also hit double digits in scoring for the Wolves with 13 while Grace Maule had 4 and Shae Linder 2.

As the Carney girls end their season with a record of 22-2, the Baraga Vikings head to the state quarterfinals.

“When we play well, we can play with anybody,” said Baraga’s Larson about their outlook for competing at the state level. “We have outstanding defense and, when the shots are falling, we can score the points that we need to.”

C-N 12 9 17 9 — 47

BHS 11 20 17 13 — 61

CARNEY-NADEAU (47): Wagner 28, Messersmith 13, Maule 4, Linder 2. FT: 3-5. Fouled out: Messersmith, Wagner. 3-point field goals: Messersmith 2.

BARAGA (61): C. Jahfeston 29, Osterman 24, Hendrickson 5, Michaelson 3. FT: 5-10. Fouled out: None. 3-point field goals: Jahfestton 9, Osterman 4, Michaelson.