Castor, Spindler Lead Braves Past Ishpeming, 63-43

ISHPEMING---Reece Castor scored 27 points and Brad Spindler added 17 as the Gladstone Braves topped the Ishpeming Hematites, 63-43, Tuesday night in their season-opening game in Ishpeming.

The Braves raced to a 24-5 lead and never looked back.

Hunter Botruff and Jack Stephenson were amongst the defensive stars for the Braves, getting Ishpeming's top scorer, Hart Holmgren, into early foul trouble. Holmgren finished with 15 points, but mostly after the Braves had built their big lead on the road.

"Botruff is that rare player that can not only lock down a defender, but still be able to play 'help' defense at the same time," Gladstone Coach Clayton Castor said. "Jack Stephenson, I just believe that he's come so far. We've asked him to do a lot this year. He is a legitimate starter, and has really stepped up his game this year."

Sophomore Rudy Peterson was also strong on the defensive end for the Braves.

Offensively, Spindler took care of things early, scoring nine points in the first quarter as the Hematites had no answer for his drive to the basket. Especially after Holmgren went to the bench with two fouls three minutes into the game. Spindler himself sat the second quarter with two fouls, but returned in the third quarter to pick up where he left off.

"If he doesn't get into foul trouble there, he may have gone off for 30," Castor said. "I was really curious about what he was going to do against this type of size. I think they're as big of a team as we're going to see all year. They put some big, physical athletes out on the floor, and it didn't bother Brad at all. He's just so savvy around the bucket."

And Castor's son, Reece, did what he normally does: score from inside, outside, and at the free throw line. He was 13-0f-14 at the free throw line as part of his 27 points.

"I really thought he could have actually gone to the line a lot more," the older Castor said. "But he did a great job. We only missed one free throw all night. We only had 12 turnovers. We're going to be able to hang with anybody if we play like that."

Gladstone led, 15-4, after one quarter, and 30-19 at the half. The closest Ishpeming got in the second half was ten points.

Both teams made five three-pointers in the game.

Gladstone won the JV game, 56-50. Ishpeming won the freshman contest, 62-51.

The Braves are off until next Tuesday, when they host the Marquette Redmen in their home opener. Game time is 7:15. It will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos, videos taken by Nate Bellville.