Click the thumbnails to see photos taken by Eric Bergstrom, and to hear post-game comments from Gladstone Coach Jake Kiesby and Menominee Coach Sam Larson.
MENOMINEE---The Gladstone High School boys basketball team got off to a slow start Tuesday night at the Border Battle in Menominee, but the Braves clamped down on defense in the second half to beat the Marinette Marines, 41-28.
The win improved Gladstone's record to 5-2 on the season, after the Braves' game on Monday against Green Bay West was cancelled due to the blizzard.
Marinette's record fell to 2-6 with its sixth straight loss. Kaden Ducane and Max Jacobson both had nine points to lead the Marines in scoring.
“The defensive pressure that we knew we needed was lacking in the first half, and it showed,” Gladstone Coach Jake Kiesby said. “But in the second half, defensively, we stepped it up and pressured a lot better. Five guys were rotating a little bit better, getting deflections. Couple of steals, and getting out in the open court. That definitely helped us.”
Gladstone trailed for almost all of the first half against the Marines, trailing at halftime, 23-18. But the Marines made only one basket, with 48 seconds left in the game, and three free throws.
Gladstone got 13 points from Lonnie Davey and ten points from Will Inghram. Alex Prins chipped in nine points for the Braves in the road victory.
In Tuesday's second game, Menominee crushed the winless Green Bay West Wildcats, 90-52, as Tanner Theuerkauf scored 29 points. The Maroons improved to 6-1 on the season.
“I thought our first twelve minutes of the first half were outstanding,” Menominee Coach Sam Larson said. “I thought we ended the half with a couple of lazy plays here and there, but then we got it back under control in the third quarter. So, just once again, a team effort. I'm proud of our kids, and 6-1 heading into the new year is a great place to be.”
Gladstone will open 2026 with a home game Friday night against Gwinn. Menominee will open 2026 with a home game Saturday afternoon against Ishpeming.
