Eddie O’Neill/ Daily Mining Gazette Houghton’s Ellie Hainault (3) and L’Anse’s Brooklyn Dompier (10) battle for a rebound under the hoop at the Houghton High School gym on Tuesday.

By Eddie O’Neill

eoneill@mininggazette.com

HOUGHTON- The Houghton Gremlins’ girls basketball squad opened their 2024-25 campaign with a 77-67 win over the visiting L’Anse Purple Hornets on Tuesday.

It was a game that saw a number of lead changes. The Purple Hornets led by as many as nine to open the game and seven points in the third. However, the Gremlins persevered and won this one by 10.

“I liked that we battled back and overcame those deficits,” noted Gremlins’ coach Julie Filpus. “I liked our effort.”

With a full-court press to open the first and a quick transition on offense, the Purple Hornets sped out to an 11-2 lead. However, their pesky, hands-on defense got them in foul trouble and put the Gremlins at the line where they were able to capitalize on seven points. That put them ahead 23-20 after one.

After being knotted at 25, 27, and 29, a three pointer by L’Anse’s Brooklyn Dompier put the Purple Hornets back in the lead at 32-29 in the second. They added four more and went to the locker room at half ahead 36-34.

“I told the girls (at half) that we were rushing,” noted Filpus. “Their (L’Anse) tempo was a challenge for us. We needed to settle down and play our game, and I think we did.”

While the Purple Hornets pushed out with six-unanswered points to start the third, the Gremlins bounced back to tie it at 46 courtesy of a bucket by Ellie Hainault. It was two of 15 points for her.

The Gremlins went on to outscore their opponent 21-17 in the third and take a 55-53 lead into the fourth.

They then sealed the deal with seven unanswered points in the opening minutes of the final quarter and won this won 77-67.

Leading the scoring for the Gremlins was Eva Gerard with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Jacey Sleeman had 18, and Tessa Rautiola scored 10. The Houghton squad sunk an impressive 25 of 33 free throws and according to L’Anse coach Josh Eagle that made a difference.

“Houghton is a good team, he said. “They are disciplined and made their shots.”

The Purple Hornets had four girls in double figures. Mylee Londo led with 21. Brooklyn Dompier followed with 19. Kwynn Voskuhl put in 13, and Princess Pierre scored 10.

“We are a young team and as our half-court defense gets better, so will our offense.”

UP NEXT

The Purple Hornets will play tonight at home against the Calumet Copper Kings. The Gremlins stay at home to take on Negaunee on Friday.