Adam Hinch/For the Gazette The Calumet girls basketball team poses for a photo after winning the Division 3 regional championship on Wednesday at Newberry High School.

NEWBERRY — A strong defensive team effort and three players in double-figures led Calumet girls basketball to a 64-39 victory over Manton in a Division 3 regional final game here Wednesday.

The Copper Kings wasted no time off the opening tip as junior Kiirsi Johnson had back-to-back layups and sophomore Bailey Strom split a pair of free throws and Calumet led 5-0.

Manton fought back as senior Adriana Sackett hit a 3-pointer. Moments later freshman Liian Chittle drove through the lane for an underhand layup to cut the deficit to 8-7.

Late in the first stanza, Strom connected on a mid-range jumper. Moments later, off a Manton turnover Strom went to the basket for a layup and the Copper Kings led 15-9 after one.

The second quarter belonged to Calumet as they outscored Manton 24-13. Johnson hit a pair of 3-pointers and had 12 of her 17 points in the second quarter and Calumet took a 39-22 lead into the half.

“We made strong moves to the basket and drew fouls,” Strom said. “We pressured the ball on defense and get turnovers then converted on the other end.”

Calumet picked up right where they left off to start the third quarter as Strom drove to the basket for a layup. Then off a Manton turnover Strom pulled up and knocked down the mid-range jumper to extend the Copper Kings lead to 43-22.

“The kids played very well tonight,” Calumet coach Charlie Kemppainen said. “They were poised when they needed to be. We knocked down a lot of shots and our defense was really good. Hiller is a good player and she didn’t really get going til the fourth quarter.”

The Copper Kings forced 29 turnovers and grabbed 48 rebounds in the contest.

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Calumet will face Sanford Meridian in a Division 3 state quarterfinal matchup at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Manistique High School.