Perhaps simply too young too understand the moment they were in, a Division 4 Region 25 semifinal match-up at the Houghton Gym, which worked to their advantage, this group of youngsters showed no signs of letting the biggest moment of their season get away from them as they came to play on Monday night.

The Panthers sunk the Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes in the process, 51-44.

The Lakes came into the game with a roster that featured four seniors, along with a junior who just so happened to be the best shooter in school history already.

“We handled their pressure and did not turn the ball over,” said Panthers coach Jacky Besonen. “That was key for us tonight. As well, we contained their top-two scorers, Emily Jokela and Cleo Milkey.”

Lake Linden-Hubbell coach Jack Kumpala gives instructions to his team during a timeout during their Division 4 Region 25 semifinal matchup against Ewen-Trout Creek on Monday at the Houghton Gym. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)

This was the second time these two teams had met this season. In January, the Lakes downed the Panthers, 59-55, in an overtime showdown.

Thus, both programs knew what they were getting into, and this postseason battle did not disappoint a full house in Houghton.

The first eight minutes opened with a back-and-forth shootout with it ending in an 11-11 knot. The Lakes’ best quarter was the second as they came out with six unanswered points to take a 17-11 lead. However, back-to-back threes by Bree Besonen and Emma Besonen knotted this one again at 17. Emma hit another 3-pointer just minutes later to put the Panthers up 22-19. The Ewen-Trout Creek girls held the lead from there on out.

It was a 28-24 Panther lead at half.

“I knew we needed to tighten up our defense,” said Lakes coach Jack Kumpala, “and I told them that at halftime. Our problem was we just could not get over the hump and catch them. We had opportunities for open shots, and we missed them.”

On the other side, the Panthers made their shots, much to their delight of their coach.

“We shot 48 percent,” said Jacky Besonen. “This was very much a team effort.”

The Panthers had four girls in double figures. Irelynd McGeshick led with 17. Emma and Bree Besonen both had 11, and McKayla Basel sunk 10.

While the Lakes won the third quarter, 14-11, they were still in the passenger’s seat down one, 39-28, with a quarter to play, and that is where they stayed in the fourth.

The Panthers were 11-of-12 from the free throw line and sealed the deal with a seven-point win.

The Lakes were led by Emily Jokela who poured in 18 and Cleo Milkey who had 16.

Kumpala and his girls were obviously saddened by the season-ending defeat but have a lot to be proud of.

“We were 23-2, and that is a great season,” he said. “We have all of our scorers back for next season. So, our future looks good.”

UP NEXT

The Panthers will face off for the Region 25 final against the Ishpeming Hematites Wednesday at Marquette High School. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.