Cold outside, Braves hot inside
Reece Castor has triple double in victory
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GLADSTONE -- It was a cold Friday night outdoors, but the Gladstone boys were sizzling inside their gym as they rolled past the Menominee Maroons 91-50 in a Great Northern Conference basketball game.
The fourth-ranked Braves shot nearly 76 percent (28-of-37) from the field in the first half while racing to a stunning 65-37 advantage.
"When we played Ishpeming, that was nearly our game total for shots (in Tuesday's 64-39 victory)." said Braves' coach Dane Quigley. "We talked again about getting off to a quick start. We told the guys 'let's put on a good show' and I think they did that. We wanted to get the crowd into it."
Senior guard Reece Castor recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Braves, who finished 39-of-60 from the floor.
"Reece had a great game," said Quigley. "I don't know the last time that's been done at Gladstone."
Senior guard Carson Shea added a career-high 22 points. Junior guard/forward Jarrett St. John hit a career-best 11 points and sophomore forward Rane Castor had 10.
"We had good balance again," said Quigley. "Carson had heck of a game. The key for us is other guys are getting so much more involved in our offense."
Menominee led 15-12 midway through the first quarter and was still within 27-22 with 90 seconds left in the period.
"I still think they're a pretty good team," said Quigley. "I'll give Menominee credit. They came out with a lot of energy and were matching us basket for basket. They're a young team, but they're going to be real good in a couple years. Aidan Bellisle is a heck of a nice shooter."
The Braves (9-5 overall, 2-2 GNC) responded with 11 unanswered points for a 38-22 cushion early in the second stanza.
Bellisle then drained a jump shot from the top of the key, trimming Menominee's deficit to 38-25.
Gladstone then scored the next eight points, gaining a 46-25 advantage on a 20-foot jumper from the left wing by Reece Castor.
"Offensively, I thought we did some good things against their 1-3-1 (zone press)," said Menominee coach Sam Larson. "Defense was the problem. We need to do a better job with defensive positioning. Our lack of help defense really hurt. They were able to cut and shoot where they wanted.
"We were much more patient on offense in the second half. Hopefully, we came out with more patience the next time we see them."
The Braves scored the first six points of the third stanza and continued to expand on their lead.
Bellisle paced the Maroons (2-8 overall, 0-4 GNC) with 18 points. Freshman guard Brady Badker added 12.
The Maroons committed nine turnovers and the Braves had just four.
"One thing about this group is they always come back and work hard," said Larson. "Gladstone shot real well. If they shoot like that, they can beat anybody."
Gladstone, which also won the jayvee game, is idle until Feb. 5 when it visits second-ranked Marquette. The Maroons host Escanaba Tuesday.
Menominee 22 15 7 6 -- 50
Gladstone 34 31 21 5 -- 91
Menominee -- Monroe 6, Barrette 4, Bellisle 18, Sartorelli 4, Uecke 2, Spegel 4, Badker 12. FT: 4-6; F: 11; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Bellisle 4, Badker 2.
Gladstone -- Krause 2, Shea 22, St. John 11, Ballard 9, Rane Castor 10, Hagebusch 2, Reece Castor 27, Crow 8. FT: 8-13; F: 6: Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Shea 2, Reece Castor 2, St. John.