Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette Houghton’s Jacey Sleeman (15) runs up the floor with the ball while looking for an open teammate during a game against West Iron County Thursday night at the Houghton Gym. Pictured in support is teammate Eva Gerard (31).

HOUGHTON — Julie Filpus and her staff challenged the Houghton Gremlins girls basketball team to be a better version of itself on Thursday night after a loss to Calumet on Tuesday. The Gremlins used a strong first quarter to set the tone at home as they cruised to a 71-49 victory over the West Iron County Wykons.

Filpus was all smiles after her team went out and did just what it needed to do to get the win.

“(I am) just proud of our efforts, our focus and our bounce back from Tuesday,” she said. “We told our players, we want to coach the team that is always up, always high, and weren’t there on Tuesday. The next most important thing is, when you have a game like that, what’s the one after going to be like? We answered the call, we put our noses to the grindstone, and put together a pretty nice game.”

Houghton set the tone in the first minute of play as junior Eva Gerard picked up a layup some 18 seconds in, and followed that up with a 3-pointer 41 seconds later.

Filpus feels that Gerard, who finished with a game-high 24 points, has found another gear, which will prove crucial to Houghton’s success moving forward.

“I would say kind of after the New Year, she’s been a different player,” Filpus said, “just posting a lot stronger, finishing well, just really into making a difference on our team.”

Paired with senior Danica Ryynanen, who had 12 points, the duo have important roles on the floor. Ryynanen has developed into a key defender who can score, while Gerard’s size and strength prove to be a challenge for opponents.

“In our competition we’ve seen a lot of good guards, and we stick Danica Ryyanen on them, game in and game out,” said Filpus. “She’s taxed with slowing them down. Eva creates mismatches. So, it’s important for us to always be aware of where she is on offense, and what she can do.”

With the way Houghton’s leadership group, which included 20 points from senior Clea Ollanketo, played, West Iron County struggled, especially in the first quarter, to match what they were seeing on the other end of the floor.

“I thought Houghton came out and played inspired basketball,” said Wykons coach Eric Shamion. “They played more physical than we played, and they just really took it to us. It’s a credit to Julie and her program, but they had us. Coming out of the first quarter, we were done.”

The Wykons struggled to hit shots, and then, when they did get the ball to the basket and miss, they often one and done, because Gerard, sophomore Sophie Hebert, and others boxed out very effectively.

“We not only missed shots, but no offensive rebounds, and that’s a credit to the Houghton kids,” said Eric. “We just didn’t want to show up tonight and play physical. Houghton really took it to us.”

The Gremlins led 17-9 after, and they extended their lead to 22, 38-16, by half. Gerard had as many points at the break as the Wykons did as a team. She only made four points in the third quarter, all free throws, but she did that by being tough to defend in the paint.

By the time she came out of the game in the fourth quarter, she had nine rebounds and four blocks as well.

The Wykons fought back a bit in the third quarter, thanks to 11 points from senior Danica Shamion. She finished her night with 21 points, but was the only Wykon in double digits.

“She’s the leader of our team, and she will score for us, but we need other kids to step up,” said Eric. “Tonight, they didn’t, and Danica kind of had to carry the whole load.”

With 21 points in the second quarter and 20 more in the third quarter, the Gremlins were able to build enough of a cushion for Filpus to feel comfortable giving some playing time to a trio of kids pulled up the junior varsity teams in freshman Ruby Zawada, and sophomores Kia Markham and Lexi Burns. Markham hit a 3-pointer off the glass with two and a half minutes left in the third quarter, which elicited a loud cheer from the crowd.

“I just liked that they went out on the floor and they looked confident,” Filpus said. “Kia was able to bank a three, and the others did some good stuff defensively. They should be happy with those opportunities.”

Ollanketo’s offensive production was also something that Filpus felt made a huge difference in the game. After struggling to score against Calumet Tuesday, she led the Gremlins with five of the team’s eight 3-pointers Thursday night.

“She’s a senior, and she’s won a regional championship,” said Filpus. “Two threes for her on Tuesday night was not acceptable by her standards. She said what she was going to do (tonight), and she did it.”

UP NEXT

The Gremlins’ varsity squad is off until Monday, when they host Jeffers at the Houghton Gym at 7:15 p.m.