This marked the first regional title in two decades for the Panthers, who shared the No. 1 ranking in the final Division 4 weekly girls basketball poll conducted by the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.

And who do they go on to face next? The team they share that No. 1 ranking with, St. Ignace, in the Division 4 state quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Gladstone.

The Knights, who overcame an 0-5 start this season, finished 16-10.

“They played very well,” E-TC coach Jacky Besonen said about Norway. “Their outside shooting kept them in the game. We moved the ball well against their 1-2-2 zone and hit some good shots in the end.”

Ewen-Trout Creek’s Jacky Besonen watches her team during an MHSAA Division 4 girls basketball regional tournament championship game played against Norway at Marquette Senior High School on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

Norway got within 42-41 on a 20-foot jump shot from the left wing by junior center Paytan Carlson midway through the fourth quarter.

Then an 11-0 run by E-TC put the game out of reach, as the Panthers gained a 53-41 advantage on a free throw by junior center Irelynd McGeshick with slightly more than a minute remaining.

“We turned a lot of our defense into offense,” E-TC freshman guard Bree Besonen said. “We got real solid, which gave us confidence down the stretch. Norway looked a little tired in the end, although they played real well. They knocked down a lot of shots.

“St. Ignace, for sure, will be a tough game, but we’re glad to have a chance to play them.”

The Knights got the start they wanted, building a 12-4 lead on a running jumper from the lane by junior guard Lauren Adams with 1:50 left in the opening period.

Bree Besonen drained a pair of free throws to bring the Panthers within 12-6.

A steal and layup at the buzzer by Adams gave Norway a 14-6 cushion and Carlson’s jumper from top of the key made it 17-6 early in the second stanza.

The Knights still held a 19-10 lead following senior Mary Cavagneto’s jumper from the boulevard with 4:40 remaining in the second quarter.

But E-TC answered with a 9-0 run, tying the score on a layup by McGeshick with 2:40 left in the first half.

The score was tied 21-21 with 45 seconds left in the half when Carlson sank a jumper from the top of the key to put Norway ahead 24-21.

Norway also led 29-23 early in the third before E-TC rallied to tie the score 32-32 on a lay-in by Bree Besonen with 1:48 remaining in that quarter.

The teams seesawed through the remainder of the third before freshman center McKayla Basel hit a six-foot set shot on a pass from junior Emma Besonen, giving the Panthers a 36-35 lead.

Norway took its last lead on a running five-foot jumper by Adams and free throw by Cavagneto early in the fourth.

Bree Besonen’s 18-foot jumper tied the contest 38-38. Emma Besonen added a field goal and Bree Besonen sank a pair of gifters to put the Panthers ahead 42-38.

“Emma got a steal and hit a big layup (late in the fourth) which I think may have taken the wind out of their sails,” Coach Besonen said. “I’m just real proud of the girls.”

Bree Besonen finished with 25 points and Emma Besonen had 11 for the Panthers, who hit 12 of 15 free throws and committed 10 turnovers.

Carlson sank five 3-point shots and scored 17 points and Adams hit 15 for Norway. The Knights had 13 miscues.