Panther boys slide past Wildcats and Norsemen
by Desmond Davis and Nick Urness, student writers
The Gilmanton boys basketball team fought its way to the top in two relatively-tight games against Large Dairyland Conference opponents last week, downing Blair-Taylor 70-66 and dispatching Whitehall 62-54.
On Tuesday Jan. 13, the Panthers hosted the Blair-Taylor Wildcats. Coming into the game the Panthers knew they had to play solid defense because the Wildcats always have a bunch of offensive firepower. Both teams made their offensive runs with the Panthers up 39-28 at halftime.
In the second half the Wildcats would keep fighting, and a lot of missed opportunities at the free throw line for the Panthers would result in the narrow, four-point victory for host Gilmanton.
Devin Oesau led the team with 20 points followed by Brody Larson’s 13 points, six rebounds and Desmond Davis’ double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
On Friday Jan. 16, the Panthers traveled to Whitehall to take on the Norsemen. The Panthers started the first quarter playing well with a 10-point lead, but the Norsemen were determined to not let the Panthers pull away. Whitehall’s press was effective in getting the Panthers flustered, resulting in 29 turnovers.
However, Whitehall couldn’t match Gilmanton’s accuracy from the floor, allowing the Panthers to hang on for the key victory.
Oesau led the team with 16 points and nine rebounds followed by Larson’s 14 points, eight rebounds and Weston Gumbert with 10 points.
The Panthers hosted New Auburn on Monday Jan. 19, and will host Cochrane-Fountain City on Thursday, Jan. 22.