Gilmanton boys bounce back from loss to E-S to take out Immanuel

by Derric Gray, student writer

On Tuesday, Dec. 8, the Gilmanton boys basketball team traveled to Eleva-Strum for their first Dairyland Conference game of the year. Due to inexperience and another night of poor shooting, the Panthers fell to the Cardinals by a score of 68-53.

The Panthers started off hot, staying neck-and-neck with the Cardinals throughout the beginning of the first half. Eventually the Panthers’ shots ceased to fall as they ended the first half trailing the Cardinals 32-23. The second half didn’t go much better for the Panthers as they couldn’t keep up with the Cardinals’ high intensity. Turnovers largely contributed to the Panthers’ second loss of the season.

Senior Nick Urness led the Panthers with an astonishing 23 points and 16 rebounds for a double-double followed by senior Derric Gray with 10 points. Senior Damontae Dewitt added eight points and seven rebounds.

The Gilmanton boys resumed action on Friday, Dec. 11, hosting the Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran Lancers. With a chip on their shoulders, coming off of two straight losses, the Panthers defeated the Lancers with a score of 47-43.

The Panthers came to play in this one and were determined to hand the Lancers their first loss of the season. The Panthers started the game with great defensive pressure, but they couldn’t keep a good team like the Lancers down resulting in a close halftime score of 18-17 with the Panthers on top.

Both teams came out in the second half hungry for a win but the Panthers wanted it more. They knocked down a couple of clutch free throws to seal the victory.

Urness led the team once again with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Gray added 12 points and two assists and freshman Tanner Hovey chipped in seven points and three steals.

This week the Panthers will travel to Alma on Thursday, Dec. 17, to take on the Alma/Pepin Eagles.