ESCANABA — Shane Wallin and Casey Bray, the Escanaba Eskymos’ two point guards, fine play kept the Gladstone Braves off guard in the Eskymos 55-43 win over the Braves Friday. The overall play of 6’5″ sophomore Cody Noel, who scored 15 points while pulling down many rebounds was as big a factor in the outcome of the game.

Gladstone’s Drake Johnson the Braves 6’4″ junior center, who payed a real nice game, had a double double night scoring 13 points and ripping off 13 rebounds while teammate the hustling Eli Berthaume scored 11 points along with four steals.

Trailing 25-24 at halftime, the Eskymos opening the second half going on a 10-0 run sparked by Wallin’s back to back three pointers and three straight baskets by Noel. The Braves fought back behind the scoring of johnson Nick Matthews and Kaden Gibbs to pull Gladstone within six 40-34 going into the last quarter.

Escanaba playing a tough zone defense kept the Braves off balance while Wallin and Bray continued their fine play scoring at will as the Eskymos pulled away winning 56-43.

Elliot Vitito, hitting not one but two long all net three pointers and Matthews two big layups gave the Braves a early five point lead. Four straight points under the boards by Noel had Escanaba trailing by only one going into the second quarter.

Johnson and Berthaume kept the Braves rolling as each scored six points that gane Gladstone a 25-24 lead at halftime.

Both teams are back in Action with home games on Tuesday with Gladstone hosting Marquette and Escanaba hosting Cedarville in the season final.

After Tuesday’s games both the Braves and Eskymos can look forward to the five team district tournament at Negaunee. Both teams will have to step up its play in order to have a chance of winning the district. Most likely Kingsford will be the number one seed team and will get the bye, playing the winner of Escanaba/ Houghton game while Gladstone for the third time will play Negaunee.

Gladstone 12 13 07 11 43

Escanaba 11 13 16 16 56

Scoring Gladstone Johnson 13, Berthaume 11,Vitito 8, Matthews 7, Bracket 2, Gibbs 2

Escanaba Noel 16, Wallin 16,Bray 10, Lawson 2, Romps 5,Stevenson 7