Gladstone senior Lillie Johnson celebrates hitting 2,000 career points with her team pictured left to right Madison Sundquist, Ella Bracket, Malia Quigley, Adele Ostlund, Addy Blowers, Lillie Johnson, Eva Pankonien, Hayden Demay, Laura Zoli, Tiahana Reynolds and Marleen Giese on Feb. 3, 2026 at Gladstone High School. Curtosey Photo

GLADSTONE — Lillie Johnson joined an elite club while leading the Gladstone girls to a 53-49 basketball triumph over the Ishpeming Hematites in an overtime thriller here Tuesday night.

The senior forward scored 32 points in this non-conference match-up, more than enough to become a member of the 2,000-point club.

It was senior guard Addy Blowers who came through in the clutch, however, sealing the verdict with a pair of free throws with 6.4 seconds remaining in the overtime.

“Addy really stepped up,” Braves’ coach Andy Cretens said. “She made the big free throws to seal it. Before the overtime we told the girls we needed to get the ball inside to Lillie and stop Janessa (Eagle). Our girls did a good job getting the ball inside.”

Johnson inched above the 2,000 mark on a layup which gave the Braves a 36-32 lead with 6:58 left in regulation.

“It’s really exciting to see all the people come out and give us their support,” she said. “It was a great game. When they (Hematities) play together, they can play with anyone. Being in a close game makes hitting 2,000 more meaningful. We all had to work hard to get the win. Addy really put the pressure on them with those free throws. Although, we still couldn’t relax. Anything could happen.”

Johnson, whose career total stands at 2,010 ranks fourth in the all-time Upper Peninsula standings.

Crystal Falls Forest Park’s Lexi Gussert is the leader with 2,630 career points (2011-14) which is the fourth best all-time in Michigan.

Ewen-Trout Creek’s Allison Bailey is the second highest in the U.P. at 2,131 (1994-97) followed by St. Ignace’s Krista Clement with 2,060 (2000-03), according to the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

After the Braves went ahead in the fourth quarter, Eagle drained a trio of shots from 3-point range, including a 21-foot jumper which gave Ishpeming a 39-36 lead.

Junior Eva Pankonien answered with a pair of trifectas of her own, including a 20-foot jumper which gave the Braves a 42-39 with 2:15 left in regulation.

“Janessa’s a great player,” Johnson said. “They have the experience and players to go downstate. I was a little disappointed when I missed the free throw (with 12.3 seconds remaining in regulation), but that just made me want to work harder.”

The Braves led 45-43 until senior Mya Hemmer sank a pair of gifters to tie the score at 45 with seven seconds remaining in regulation.

In the overtime, Eagle gave the Hematites a 47-45 with a 15-foot jumper from the right baseline.

Johnson scored the next five points, giving the Braves a 50-47 on a putback with 44 seconds remaining.

Eagle brought the Hematites within 50-49 with two free throws with 34.7 seconds left.

Johnson, a Wisconsin-Green Bay recruit, then split a pair for a two-point lead and set the stage for Blowers’ game-clinching gifters.

It was nip-n-tuck all the way in this contest as neither team led by more than six points.

“This was fun and exciting,” Cretens said. “It was exciting to see Little get her 2,000th point and the recognition. We expected it to be a close match-up. Our energy was higher than when we played up there (in a 54-44 loss). We couldn’t get over the hump. Everytime we made a run, they got a run. We need more games like this. We don’t get enough of these. Although, the last three games were good for us.”

The score was tied at 21 at halftime, 32-32 after the third frame and 45 apiece heading into the overtime.

Eagle, a Michigan Tech recruit who had the unenviable task of defending Johnson, finished with 26 points and raised her career total to 1,558.

Hemmer, a Baylor University volleyball recruit, added 14 points.

“Mya is a very good athlete,” Johnson said. “These types of games definitely prepare me for the next level.”

Pankonien scored 13 points for the Braves, who committed 19 turnovers. The Hematites had 13 miscues.

Two Ishpeming players fouled out and junior Marie Salisbury was forced out of the contest with an ankle injury late in the opening frame.

“Foul trouble and losing Marie hurt us,” Ishpeming coach Ryan Reichel said. “Janessa did heck of a job. It was fun seeing two of the best ballplayers battle it out. The girls came here to compete and I think this will help us. You learn a lot more from this than a blowout. This was four-plus quarters of intense basketball.

“I’ll break down some film when I get home tonight and bring it to practice tomorrow (Wednesday). District championships aren’t won in February. We had a few unforced errors, but were able to get back on D. Both teams endured the same thing in the fourth quarter and overtime.”

Both teams resume Friday. The second-ranked Braves (12-3) travel to fifth-ranked Menominee and the Hematites (11-2) host Negaunee (14-0) in a battle of top-ranked teams.

“They (Menominee) have a good team,” Johnson said. “They have some freshmen who are really good. That will be a good test.”

Gladstone also won the jayvee game 48-27.

Sophomore Molly Matthew scored 14 points and Ava Goodman added 10 for the Braves, who led 27-7 at halftime. Sophomore Madison Longtine was Ishpeming’s leader with 10.

Ishpeming 10 11 11 13 4 — 49

Gladstone 11 10 11 13 8 — 53

Ishpeming — Eagle 26, Piotrowski 6, Stetson 3, Hemmer 14. FT: 4-10; F: 19; Fouled out: Eagle, Piotrowski; 3-point field goals: Eagle 4, Stetson.

Gladstone — Blowers 4, Pankonien 13, Ostlund 4, Johnson 32. FT: 15-24; F: 12; Fouled out: None.