Gibbs, Castor Help Gladstone Outlast Black Bears

GARDEN CORNERS---There was a brief feeling of deja vu for many Gladstone Braves supporters Monday night in the Garden Peninsula.

The Gladstone boys basketball team was locked in a war against an excited Class D team, and the outcome wasn't decided until the very end. But unlike the Braves' loss to Rapid River earlier this season, and the loss two years ago here in Garden Corners, the Braves managed to survive this time and post a 52-47 victory.

Big Bay's James Casey, who kept his team alive with several contested and deep three-pointers, missed a potential game-tying three with 0.8 seconds left in the game. The Braves sealed the game with Reece Castor making two free throws at the other end.

"I thought we showed a sign of maturity tonight," Gladstone Coach Clayton Castor said. "I think that's what this team has been lacking at the beginning of the season. They came out, and they perservered. Got hit in the face, and they just kept on getting up."

"That's what we've been trying to stress all year. So, we get out of here, against a good team, struggled a little bit, didn't play our best, but we got out of here with the 'W'."

Gladstone struggled mightly in the first half, especially in the second quarter, when the Braves scored just five points. Big Bay had several unforced turnovers, however, and the Bears scored just seven points in the quarter. Big Bay led, 22-17, at halftime.

It looked like the Braves would take control of the game in the third quarter, as they got ten points from Joe Gibbs and built an eight-point lead. But the Black Bears kept battling, with Casey making several incredible shots to keep the score close.

Keenan Adams got a driving basket and foul with 4:17 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 41-41. Moments later, Erik Johnson scored from in close, bringing Bug Bay to within 45-44, But Gibbs hit a big jumper, and Castor also scored, making it 49-44.

Casey, however, nailed a long two-pointer (his feet were on the three-point line), and he was fouled on the play. Casey made the free throw to cut the deficit to 49-47 with 37.4 seconds to play.

Gladstone's Casey Wolf missed the front end of a one-and-one, giving the Black Bears a chance to take the lead. But Johnson's three missed with 19 seconds left.

Hunter Botruff made one of two foul shots to make it 50-47, and the Bears called time out with 8.1 seconds to play. They set up a play for Casey to tie the game with a three, but three Braves collapsed on him defensively. Casey launched a desperation shot that hit the side of the backboard with 0.8 seconds left. Gladstone survived.

"Our plan was to run a double screen on top," Casey said. "But their coach did an amazing job at the last second and said 'hit the three, stay around the three'. So, that really messed us up and I didn't read it well."

But even though Big Bay lost, Casey says the effort shows his team is for real.

"I think we can build from here," said Casey, who had a game-high 22 points and four three's. "I mean, no one expected us to come within ten points in this game. I think it's a big confidence booster for us. Gladstone's a lot bigger school, and they're tough."

Gladstone got 20 points for Gibbs, 16 of them in the second half.

"I was a lot more loose in the second half," Gibbs said. "Coach just told us to relax and come out and play our style. That helped out a lot. I got into a little groove there and everybody started shooting the ball more."

Reece Castor scored 16 points, and, as usual, was lights out at the free throw line, making all seven of his shots. Gladstone (6-5) travel to Stephenson Friday night, and then host two big games next week against Marquette and Kingsford in the Great Northern.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos taken by Nate Bellville, and to hear radio replays and interviews.