Braves Fall Again As Westwood's Guards Dominate

WEST ISHPEMING---No matter what they tried, the Gladstone Braves just could not get over the hump during Monday's basketball game against the Westwood Patriots.

Westwood was hot from the field in building a 13-point lead in the second quarter, and the Patriots held off several Gladstone rallies to post a 60-54 win in West Ishpeming.

"I'd say that scoring 54 (points), we should win the game," Gladstone Basketball Coach Dale Hongisto said. "We've hung our hat on our defense all year, but they hit some big shots. Give them credit. They beat us fair and square.

The Patriots made eight three-point baskets, including four in the first quarter.

And they had success taking the ball to the hole, despite having a huge size disadvantage.

"They took it to the rack quite a few times," Hongisto said. "That was the most disappointing thing about it (the loss). And we had turnovers or they'd hit a three every time we got to within two points, three points."

Trevor Burke hit two three-pointers in the first quarter, while Luke Gray and Mitch Messing both had one triple as the Patriots took a 12-6 lead. The Braves came back to tie the game at 14-14 in the second quarter, but the next few minutes were a nightmare.

Luke Gray nails the three for Westwood.

The Braves missed several inside shots, and turned the ball over three times. Westwood went on a 13-0 run to take a 27-14 lead as Messing hit a three and sank five free throws.

Westwood led, 29-19, at halftime. But in the third quarter, Gladstone made a run. Jake Peterson's three-pointer with 4:36 left in the quarter brought the Braves to within 35-29. Then Peterson scored from inside the line, and Tyler Wells had a steal and a basket.

The two seniors brought the Braves to within 35-33. But 23 seconds later, Messing drained a big three, and after a missed Gladstone shot, Messing scored again to make it 40-33.

And to end the third quarter, Andrew Duquette came off the bench to bank home a three off the glass and it was 43-35 Patriots after three quarters.

Westwood scored first in the fourth quarter to go up by ten, but the Braves came back again. Sophomore Joe Gibbs scored from along the baseline to cut Westwood's lead to 45-43 with 5:04 left.

Gray again had the answer for Westwood by swishing a three, but Ben Schwalbach responded with a three of his own to cut it to 48-46.

The Patriots responded again with baskets by Gray and Messing, and then the Braves turned it over with a baseline violation. Burke hit two free throws, and with two minutes left in the game, Westwood rebuilt its lead to 54-46.

Gladstone's Tyler Wells penetrates and gets the layup

Gladstone came back yet again.

Peterson nailed a three with 1:34 left, and Wells had a steal and a basket to bring Gladstone to within 56-53 with 1:13 on the clock. The Braves, however, could not get another defensive stop, and lost another close game. It was the team's fifth straight loss.

"I just told the guys that 'I've got nothing for you'," Hongisto said. "They kept playing hard and battling and that's what we need them to do."

" We kept telling them that if they do that, they will have success. But they haven't gotten that reward yet."

Messing led Westwood (7-6) with 26 points, while Gray chipped in 13 points.

Gladstone (7-10) got 16 points from Wells and 14 from Peterson in a losing effort. Peterson made four three-pointers. Gibbs added eight points.

Hongisto was given a technical foul in the first half when he objected to Gibbs getting his second consecutive offensive foul.

"He T'd me up real quick," Hongisto said. "All I said was 'he flopped," referring to the Westwood player that Gibbs bumped into underneath the basket.

Westwood's Trevor Burke drains the three.

Because he got the "T", the rule is that Hongisto had to sit on his chair for the rest of the game. Hongisto says it was tough to coach the rest of the game without being allowed to stand up and walk the sideline. A second technical would have meant an ejection for Hongisto, and a game suspension.

Despite the loss, Hongisto still believes that the season is not a lost cause.

"I tell you, it's coming," he said. "We are capable of winning the district championship."

Gladstone's Andy Olesak scores off of sweet pass.

Before the post-season begins, though, the Braves have three games left. They will host Escanaba in the Battle of Delta County this Friday night. Game time is 7:15.

The game will be broadcast live from Gladstone on WGKL-FM (105.5), WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com. The Braves beaat the Eskymos back in December.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos taken by Lori Jurek and videos taken by Mike Dagenais.

Date	Time	Opponent	Score	Record

12/19	7:30 PM	at Escanaba Eskymos	54 - 40 (W)	1-0

12/22	7:15 PM	Mid Peninsula Wolverines	62 - 47 (W)	2-0

1/3	3:00 PM	at St. Ignace Saints	64 - 62 (W)	3-0

1/8	7:30 PM	at Mid Peninsula Wolverines	45 - 41 (W)	4-0

1/10	3:00 PM	Marquette Redmen	27 - 48 (L)	4-1

1/12	7:46 PM	at Ishpeming Hematites	51 - 61 (L)	4-2

1/13	7:45 PM	at Rapid River Rockets	56 - 29 (W)	5-2

1/15	7:15 PM	Kingsford Flivvers	45 - 57 (L)	5-3

1/20	7:15 PM	Gwinn Model Towners	53 - 58 (L)	5-4

1/23	8:00 PM	at Menominee Maroons	48 - 30 (W)	6-4

1/27	7:15 PM	Ishpeming Hematites	46 - 63 (L)	6-5

2/2	7:15 PM	Big Bay deNoc Black Bears	60 - 50 (W)	7-5

2/10	7:20 PM	at Marquette Redmen	24 - 46 (L)	7-6

2/12	8:00 PM	at Kingsford Flivvers	48 - 58 (L)	7-7

2/17	7:15 PM	Negaunee Miners	45 - 55 (L)	7-8

2/20	7:15 PM	Menominee Maroons	43 - 49 (L)	7-9

2/23	7:30 PM	at Westwood Patriots	54 - 60 (L)	7-10

2/27	7:30 PM	Escanaba Eskymos	51 - 50 (W)	8-10

3/3	7:30 PM	at Manistique Emeralds	44 - 54 (L)	8-11

3/5	7:15 PM	Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils	30 - 44 (L)	8-12

3/11	7:00 PM	Menominee Maroons	52 - 50 (W)	9-12

3/13	7:00 PM	Escanaba Eskymos	30 - 32 (L)	9-13