Gwinn Modeltowners Girls Basketball Survives Manistique 41-40 for First Win of Season

By Sabrina LaForais
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Updated: March 15, 2021

MANISTIQUE, MI – March 15, 2021 – The Gwinn Modeltowners Girls Basketball team traveled to Manistique to take on the Emeralds! In a classic finish, Gwinn held off Manistique for a 41-40 victory. Travis Nelson and Gregg Nelson had the call live from Gwinn High School streaming live on foxsportsmarquette.com

1st Half:

Gwinn traveled to Manistique for tonight’s girls basketball game

The game began with a back-and-forth battle early on, but Gwinn jumped out to a 9-4 lead behind the play of Tianna Taylor and Elliina Miilu. The Modeltowners only scored one more basket in the final minutes of the first, leading to an Emeralds’ run. Brooke St. John was putting on a show for Manistique offensively, leading the way with seven early points for Manistique. The Emeralds stormed back in the final seconds of the quarter to take a one-point lead.

End of 1st: Manistique Emeralds 12, Gwinn Modeltowners 11

The offense only improved for Manistique in the second quarter, as they started taking advantage of Gwinn’s turnovers. Errant Modeltowner passes ended up in Manistique’s basket with a couple of fast break layups from Emma Swanson. Gwinn stayed in the game, not letting it get out of hand. At halftime, Manistique led 26-20.

Halftime: Manistique Emeralds 26, Gwinn Modeltowners 20

2nd Half:

St. John had a big first half for Manistique with 13 points, but she struggled in the second half with Taylor’s defensive effort for Gwinn. However, the rest of the Emeralds picked up the pace when they got baskets from Baylee Allor, Brynn Santi and Olivia Kingren. Down 32-23, Gwinn appeared to be out of it late in the third quarter. However, the hungry Modeltowners didn’t give in and cut the deficit down to one point with 3-pointers from Miilu and Halle Beauchamp. Manistique scored the final basket of the quarter, and led 34-31 after three.

Gwinn traveled to Manistique for tonight’s girls basketball game

End of 3rd: Manistique Emeralds 34, Gwinn Modeltowners 31

Manistique looked like they were in firm control with the lead in the final minutes of the game, but again Gwinn showed their resilience. Taylor led the charge down low for Gwinn, coming with key baskets time after time. Jordana Hardy came up big for the Modeltowners with four late points, including a basket underneath to put Gwinn in front with one minute left. The Modeltowners trailed from the late first quarter until the final minute of the game, and got a huge 41-40 win over Manistique. Gwinn got its first win of the season, but they played down the stretch like a team that had done plenty of winning before.

Final Score: Gwinn Modeltowners 41, Manistique Emeralds 40

NEXT GAME: The Gwinn Modeltowners Girls Basketball team’s next game will be on Monday, March 22 when they travel to Manistique once again to face the Emeralds in District play! Travis Nelson will have all of the coverage streaming live on foxsportsmarquette.com, beginning with the Elder Agency Pregame Show at 6:40 p.m., and the game to follow at 7 p.m. Go Modeltowners!