|
Gladstone Ramps Up Defense To Outlast Escanaba
 GLADSTONE---Any time the Escanaba Eskymos and Gladstone Braves meet on the hardwood, it is a battle. And Monday night's game between the two rivals was exactly that, as nearly 50 fouls were called and the team's exchanged scoring spurts throughout.  Escanaba's inside one-two punch of Jeny Brant and Haile Waters gave Gladstone fits at times, but then, at other times, the Braves guards caused the Eskymos big problems. In the first quarter, Brant had a basket-and-one on two occassions and Waters scored on a pair of inside plays. But the Braves also attacked the basket despite their size disadvantage, and Gladstone made it to the free throw line ten times in the first quarter, making eight. Gladstone led, 16-12, after the first quarter. The Braves' defense completely shut down the Eskymos in the second quarter, allowing just one point. But the Braves didn't put the game away because they scored just seven points in that second quarter. The Braves led, 23-13, at halftime. The Eskymos had a great third quarter to get back in the game.  Gladstone senior Ashley Edwardsen, still coming back from a severe knee injury suffered during the 2015 softball season, came up with a big three-point basket to give the Braves a 34-31 lead. And then, Brant was whistled for her fourth personal foul. In the fourth quarter, the Eskymos struggled with Brant on the bench. Waters managed to score twice inside, but the jump shots would not fall. The Braves made eight of eleven at the foul line to gradually pull away. Gladstone went 25-of-36 at the line. Waters scored 17 points to lead the Eskymos, and Brant added 13 points. Leigha Woelffer led the Braves with 16 points. Tasi Martinez added 12, and Edwardsen scored ten points. Gladstone sophomore Taylor Hunter had a great all-around game, scoring seven points and pulling down 17 rebounds. Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS above to see photos and videos taken by Nate Bellville.  |
