Gilmanton boys pick up big win over E-S
by Nick Urness and Desmond Davis, student writers
The Gilmanton boys basketball team kicked off conference play on Thursday night, Dec. 5, with a win over rival Eleva-Strum, with a final score of 59-53.
The Panthers started out hot, leading 7-0 from the beginning. The teams went back and forth in the first half and Gilmanton went into halftime with a one point lead, 27-26.
The game was very hard-fought going into the fourth quarter. However, the Panthers gained an 11-point lead early on in the fourth. The Cardinals fought back and had some key steals late, but Gilmanton kept them from gaining the lead.
Senior Devin Oesau closed out the game at the free throw line, giving the Panthers their first conference win of the year. Oesau led the team with 16 points and seven assists followed by Brody Larson with 14 points and six rebounds. Weston Gumbert chipped in 10 points and three steals.
The Gilmanton boys traveled to face Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran on Tuesday, Dec. 9, and will host Alma/Pepin on Friday, Dec. 12, for two more Small Dairyland Conference games this week.