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For the first time since 2003, the Elk Rapids girls basketball team advanced to the second round of the district tournament.

With junior center Kacey Anderson scoring 16 points and Mikaela Sanford adding 12, the Elks pulled away from Grayling in the fourth quarter for a 54-42 victory Monday night.

"This win is large for our girls, and our program," coach Rick Sayer said. "It is the first district win since 2003.

"And, more importantly, a team win that every girl on the team can be proud of. We pulled a sophomore and freshmen up, and sometimes it takes awhile for the chemistry to build ... but Sarah (Lloyd) and Jessie (Spoor) did extremely well.

"A lot of that had to do with having three sophomores already on the team. I appreciate the effort and hard work that our girls are showing, and it's encouraging for the girls to know that there are hundreds of varsity basketball teams that are done with their season, yet hard work and dedication allows the Elk Rapids Elks to play on."

It was a close game until the last two minutes.

But then Sanford passed to Anderson, who took it to the hoop strong and made the basket.

She was fouled on the play. Although she missed the free throw, she got her own rebound and was fouled on the shot again. This time, she made the free throw. Five points in a matter of four seconds triggered a late surge by the Elks.

Elk Rapids took care of business in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Vikings 2110.

"It was a great team win," Sayer said. "Everybody played and did their job."

The Elks outscored the Vikings 7-4 in the first quarter. It was still only a threepoint game 23-20 at the half. Elk Rapids led by just one, 33-32, after three.

Anderson contributed a team-high 10 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 steals as well for the Elks.

Caitlyn Orschel, a senior, added 8 points. Junior Kelyse Mekeon chipped in with 6 points, senior Franki Price and sophomores Lexi Small and Olivia Morrison had 4 points each.

Junior Christine Strudgeon and freshman Lloyd also scored for the Elks. Grayling was led by 6-foot-4 Laura Boylan with a game-high 18 points. The Elks were scheduled to face Petoskey in the district semifinal in Grayling on Wednesday night.