Houghton's Meghan Trewhella (right) drives to the basket as Kingsford’s Amanda Yu during an MHSAA Division 2 District 33 semifinal game on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Houghton, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — The Houghton girls’ basketball team opened district play with a lopsided 89-32 victory over the visiting Kingsford Flivvers on Wednesday night.

With the win, the Gremlins visit Negaunee on Friday night for the MHSSA Division 2 District 33 championship game.

“This one had good balance and good intensity from the start,” said Houghton head coach Julie Filpus. “We were happy with so many parts of our game.”

The Gremlins (18-3) pushed out to a 12-2 lead and never looked back. The Flivvers (7-13) struggled to keep up as the Gremlins had a strong transition game that led to a lot of lay ups.

“We like to push the ball, and we did a good job of that tonight,” said Filpus. It was a 44-16 Houghton tilt at halftime. This was the first time these two teams had met this season. Kingsford (7-13) head coach Jon Lorenzoni knew his squad had their work cut out

“We knew they were good team,” he said. “They are a big, athletic and well coached. So, its hard to simulate that in practice.”

Also hard to replicate was Houghton’s run-and-gun offense.

“The way they got out and ran caught us off guard,” Lorenzoni said. “We weren’t ready for that, and I think a lot of our girls got frustrated.”

In the third and fourth periods and with such a big lead, Filpus was able to put in some of her younger players who have not seen a lot of floor time this season at the varsity level. Among them were Sophia Nevas, Danielle Williston, Danica Rynnanen and Clea Ollanketo. They all got at least two points much to the excitement of their coach and older teammates.

“I liked how they fit right in,” Filpus added. “It would be hard to tell that they do not get in much.”

Equally impressive were the Gremlins’ regulars. They had four players in double figures. Meghan Trewhella sunk 17. Annika Peterson poured in 15. Paige Sleeman hit 13, and Gwen Markham had 12.

“I like how a number of kids are playing right now,” said Filpus. “You look at the number of points we scored tonight and that is all great, but we are finding the open person very well, and we will continue to need to do that.”

Despite the loss, Lorenzoni said it was a good season for the Flivvers.

“I can’t say enough about my girls as people,” Lorenzoni said. “I’m just proud of the way they represent Kingsford. They are truly a class act.”