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Gladstone Slips By Hot-Shooting Manistique 65-60
 GLADSTONE---The Gladstone Braves got two big "and-one" baskets from Noah Ballard in the fourth quarter to push past the Manistique Emeralds, 65-60, Friday night in Gladstone. The Emeralds had a hot streak from behind the three-point arch to stay in the game, and take a brief lead in the final quarter.  That's when Ballard took over with a pair of baskets in the lane, and he was fouled on both plays. He made the free throw both times. Rane Castor nailed a triple for three of his game-high 20 points during the Braves run as well, but the Emeralds still had their chances in the final minute. Trailing 63-60, they had three possessions with a chance to tie game but two of the possessions ended with missed jumpers. The last chance, with 11 seconds to play, never materialized because off the half-court inbounds play, the pass was bad, and Cam Ballard took the ball and drove the other way for a lay-up. The lay-up didn't count because Ballard was fouled, but the 6-foot junior stepped to the free throw line and made both foul shots to put the game out of reach. Besides Castor's 20 points, Cam Ballard had 16 and Noah Ballard added 14. Michael Hagebusch chipped in ten points to become the fourth Brave to score in double figures. Andersen led Manistique (1-1) with 15 points. Joey Hoholik added 17 points. Hoholik had four triples and Andersen sank three. The Emeralds had ten triples altogether. Gladstone improved to 2-0 after also beating Ishpeming last Tuesday. Click the above headline to see photos and videos, and see post-game comments from Noah Ballard.  |
