Manistique sophomore Maya Carlson (10) attempts a layup against Engadine on Dec. 12, 2023 at the Bonifas Gymnasium at Manistique High School.

MANISTIQUE — Season openers can either see a team start its season with a bang. It can also reveal what teams need to improve on before playoffs in March.

For Manistique girls basketball, Tuesday’s season opener saw it start the season with a bang by forcing 30 turnovers and converted them into 34 points in a 65-9 win.

“We did a good job of forcing turnovers tonight,” Manistique coach Dan Giles said. “It’s something we kinda struggled with last season so it was nice to see us get off to a good start.”

Manistique struck early and often out of the gate. Junior Jolynn Zellar got the scoring started for the Emeralds with a lay-in at the basket coming off a steal by junior Leah Goudreau. On the next Emeralds possession, Alexis McDade hit a 3-pointer from the right wing and the Emeralds led 5-0.

A couple possessions later, Goudreau drove the the lane and put one off the glass and through the net for two of her 19 points on the night. After another Engadine turnover, McDade pulled up from the top of the key and buried a shot from downtown.

Engadine junior Clair Oven threw up a three ball and got the foul. However, she was not able to make any of the three free throws.

Emeralds sophomore Maya Carlson hit a mid-range jumper to put the Emeralds firmly in the driver’s seat behind a 12-0 run.

Oven broke up the run on a nice little pull up jumper to end the first quarter with the Emeralds leading 12-2.

The Emeralds mustered another 12-0 run in the second quarter.

After a Manistique free throw, Engadine had a pass stolen by Goudreau, who accumulated seven steals on the night. Goudreau pulled up for a left wing three and nailed it to put the Emeralds up 16-2. Carlson scored a layup on the next Emeralds possession. Engadine had the inbound pass stolen by Goudreau, who connected with senior Danielle Lund for the basket and the Emeralds extended the lead to 20-2. Goudreau hit the next two shots for the Emeralds to extend the lead to 24-2.

Engadine finally found success on the scoreboard again when junior Hali Butkovich hit the mid-range jumper, but the damage was done. And after an 8-0 burst to close the second stanza, Manistique walked into halftime with a 32-4 lead.

“We did a good job of getting everyone involved,” Giles said.

The Emeralds went on to outscore Engadine 16-0 in the third quarter, and cruised from there to open their season with a win.

Zellar had a double-double for the Emeralds with 13 points and 12 rebounds as did Alexis McDade who had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Goudreau flirted with an opening game triple-double with 19 points, eight rebounds and seven steals.

The Emeralds travel to face Ishpeming Westwood at 7:15 p.m. Friday.

Engadine 2 2 0 5 –5

Manistique 12 20 16 13 –65

Engadine — Oven 5, Butkovich 4. FT: 0-5; F: 10; Fouled Out: None; 3-point field goals: Oven.

Manistique — Goudreau 19, M. Carlson 4, Lund 4, Brewster 6, McDade 15, Petrelius 2, Zellar 13, Davis 2. FT: 4-12 F: 9 Fouled Out: None; 3-point field goals: McDade 3, Goudreau 2.