Houghton's Kate Filpus stands alone at the free throw line shooting a free throw after a technical foul against Escanaba Monday in a Division 2 District 33 playoff game. Behind her are teammates (from left) Sophie Hebert, Lexi Burns, Ellie Hainault and Ruby Zawada. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — The Houghton Gremlins girls basketball team opened up postseason play with a win Monday. They downed the Escanaba Eskymos, 56-30, in Division 2 District 33 action in the Houghton gym.

It was a game in which they led the whole time.

“I liked our start and how we hit the offensive glass, and I liked our pressure,” said Gremlins coach Julie Filpus.

The Gremlins pushed out to a 14-3 lead after one. They improved that to 29-11 at the midway point.

Filpus was able to get everybody in.

“The game ball goes to the team,” she said. “People were active and played well. They knew what they were supposed to do.”

This included strong defense as they held the Eskymos to single-digit scoring in quarters one, two and three. Meanwhile, everybody but two girls scored. They had six 3-pointers in the game.

“Anytime that happens you know that we are doing something right,” said Filpus.

Jacey Sleeman had two of them as she led the scoring for the Gremlins with 12. Ellie Hainault sunk 11. Mia Lawson had two triples as well.

The Eskymos’ best quarter was the fourth where they outscored the Gremlins 12-8.

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The Gremlins faced Negaunee on Wednesday in a District 33 semifinal game.

Coach Filpus summed their previous meeting up best.

“Negaunee beat us earlier this month,” she said. “They took a 10-point lead, and we could not catch them. We are looking to take a lead this time and not look back.”