GLADSTONE — The Gladstone girls had a fight on their hands, but prevailed in a season-opening 50-38 basketball victory over the Kingsford Flivvers here Tuesday night.

Gladstone led 39-33 with 5:26 left to play in the Great Northern Conference matchup.

Senior Lillie Johnson scored the next six points, giving the Braves a 41-33 lead on a lay-in, then sank a 21-foot jump shot from the left wing to make it 44-33.

With three minutes remaining, the Wisconsin-Green Bay recruit split a pair of free throws to give the Braves a 45-33 advantage.

“We got a lot of good looks, but missed a lot of layups,” Braves’ coach Andy Cretens said. “The girls know Lillie is going to get double and triple-teamed. The other girls have to be ready to hit the outside shots.”

A layup by senior Jazzlyne Shaughnessy

See Full Page