Todd Rose | Daily Press Manistique’s Madison Zellar (4) drives around Gwinn’s Jada LaCount (12) Monday at Manistique during an MHSAA Division 3 district opener.

MANISTIQUE — It was a battle of defense between the Manistique Emeralds girls’ basketball team (4-10) and the Gwinn Modeltowners Monday night in an MHSAA Division 3 district opener in Manistique.

When the dust settled, it was the Emeralds winning 34-27.

“It’s been a really tough season for us,” said Emeralds coach Jenna Bradshaw. “We’ve been plagued by injuries and everyone’s dealing with the Covid stuff. But, this is our first home game win.

“Coming into it, it meant something really special to (the girls).”

Last week, the two teams had faced off with the Modeltowners squeaking out the win, 41-40.

Gwinn started the game with a 10-0 point run that stretched into the second half of the first quarter. The run was jumpstarted thanks to a three-point basket from Elliina Miilu. Tiana Taylor put the cap on the 10, going two-for-two from the line.

The Emeralds responded in the final 2:46 of the quarter with seven unanswered points bookended by two-point shots from Danielle Lund and Madison Zellar.

In the second, the Manistique defense stepped it up, only allowing four points — all from Gwinn’s Jordana Hardy.

Offensively, the Emeralds went on another seven-point run to end the quarter. Lund tied the game — then put Manistique ahead — with a free throw followed by a two-point basket.

At the half, the Emeralds led 16-14. They would hold on to the lead for the remainder of the game.

Madison Zellar led Manistique in scoring with 11 points. She also shined on defense.

“Her basketball awareness is (great),” said Bradshaw. “She can almost read someone’s mind and know where they’re going to go.

“For her to shoot the ball and score … is just great for her confidence. As a senior, I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

Bradshaw also gave props to the Modeltowners for shutting down heavy hitter Brooke St. John.

“(Gwinn) did a good job,” she said. “They cut off my best player, Brooke. I think that everyone else around her was able to step up offensively, and down the line, we were able to clinch the win.

“I just want to shoutout my whole team. We haven’t won a game since probably the fifth game of the season, and they just worked really hard.”

Bradshaw also gave thanks to assistant coach Scott Nagy for helping with schemes and making sure, “the x’s and o’s are in the right spot.”

For the Gwinn Modeltowners, a season full of challenges comes to a close.

“Since the start, we had a lot of adversity,” said Modeltowners coach Shelle Olsen. “We had injuries, low numbers and (ended up) pulling JV’s who shouldn’t be playing up at the varsity level yet.

“It was a year of adversity for us, and I thank our seniors. They have worked hard for me all year. The cards weren’t dealt to us tonight, that’s all.”

While Gwinn shutdown Manistique’s St. John, the Emeralds did the same to Tianna Taylor for the Modeltowners holding her to four points.

“We made a run here at the end,” said Olsen. “(But) their roleplayers beat our roleplayers. It’s all it comes down to tonight. We played hard, but we struggled offensively. Defensively we did fine.

“It comes down to a game of runs, and we made our run too late.”

Jordana Hardy had 14 points to lead the Modeltowners in scoring.

The Manistique Emeralds move on to the semifinals of the Division 3 district tournament where they will host the Maroons of Menominee Wednesday.

Gwinn 10 4 3 10 — 27

Manistique 7 9 8 10 — 34

Gwinn — Hardy 14, Miilu 6, Taylor 4, Beauchamp 2, LaCount 1; F: 19; FT: 11-15; Fouled out: Malette; 3-point field goals: Miilu 2.

Manistique — Zellar 11, Lund 9, Kingren 7, Swanson 5, St. john 2; F: 14; FT: 10-18; Fouled out: Twardokus.