Boys basketball team sets school record
with 18th win of season
By Bruce Rolfe
The Galesburg-Augusta boys varsity basketball team built on a school record the team established earlier by securing a 52-44 win over Delton-Kellogg at Delton February 21.
The wins gives G-A an 18-4 regular season finish, with the 18 wins eclipsing the school record for wins in a season set by last year’s team (17-5).
G-A, which set the school record for consecutive wins February 18 when the team won its 12th consecutive game, stretched the streak to 13 straight games with the win February 21.
“I’m proud of our guys. They finished the year strong and played well,” said G-A coach Brian Dolph.
After falling behind by a 24-20 count at halftime, G-A responded with a strong second half, outscoring Delton-Kellogg 32-20 to secure the win.
G-A led by a 9-7 count after one quarter.
Giovonni Evans, who led the Rams with 21 points, was a catalyst in the second half uprising, scoring seven points to help G-A to a 36-31 lead after three quarters and added nine more in the fourth quarter when the visitors outscored the Panthers 16-13.
Ethan Thomas added eight points, six rebounds and two steals and C.J. Benard contributed seven rebounds, five steals and five assists to go with five points.
G-A opened the district tournament February 26 at Hackett facing the winner of the Lawton-Comstock winner. A win would send G-A into the district championship game February 28 at Hackett at 7 p.m.
Galesburg-Augusta 9 11 16 16 - 52
Delton-Kellogg 7 17 7 13 - 44
Jeremiah Mann 2, Ethan Thomas 8, C.J. Benard 5, Ethan Gibson 7, Giovonni Evans 21, Nolan Brewer 5, Anakin Jordan 2, Hayden Pritchard 2
Free throws: G-A 15-20/Delton-Kellogg 2-8
3-point baskets: G-A 3 (Ethan Gibson 2, Giovonni Evans 1)/Delton-Kellogg 8 (Grant McArthur 3, Grady Matteson 3, Carter Brickley 1, Gabe Ramsey 1)
G-A Stat Leaders
Rebounds: C.J. Benard 7, Ethan Thomas 6, Ethan Gibson 3
Steals: C.J. Benard 5, Ethan Thomas 2, Jeremiah Mann 2
Assists: C.J. Benard 5
Rams Tie School Record for Wins in a Season
The Rams continued to lay a foot print in the school record books February 18 with a 69-42 win over Constantine at Constantine.
The win was G-A’s 12th straight, building on a school record for consecutive wins in the regular season. The 2022-2023 Ram team won 10 straight games. G-A equaled the school record for wins in a season set by last year’s team (17-5).
A trio of three-point baskets by Ethan Gibson and two more by Jeremiah Mann helped the Rams race out to a 25-4 lead after one quarter.
Constantine started to find its offensive touch in the second quarter but the Rams enjoyed a 40-18 lead at halftime.
The Falcons closed the deficit to 19 points (50-31) after three quarters but G-A closed out the win a strong fourth quarter, outscoring the home team 19-11.
G-A shot 38 percent (18-47) from two-point range, 40 percent (8-20) from three-point range and 38 percent (26-67) overall from the floor.
Ethan Gibson, who finished with four triples, led G-A in scoring with 14 ponts on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor including a 4-for-6 effort behind the three-point line. Jeremiah Mann added 10 points on 50 percent shooting from both the floor overall (4-for-8) and three-point line (2-for-4). Ethan Thomas and C.J. Benard each contributed eight points and Hayden Pritchard pulled down eight rebounds. Benard had five assists and Mann came up with four steals.
Galesburg-Augusta 25 15 10 19 - 69
Constantine 4 14 13 11 - 42
Levi Born 7, Jeremiah Mann 10, Ethan Thomas 8, C.J. Benard 8, Ethan Gibson 14, Giovonni Evans 7, Ethan Metty 5, Aidan Moses 4, Anakin Jordan 2, Hayden Pritchard 4
Free throws: G-A 9-14/Constantine 7-13
3-point baskets: G-A8 (Ethan Gibson 4, Jeremiah Mann 2, Ethan Gibson 1, Ethan Metty 1)/Constantine 3 (Ivan Baker 1, Joshua Bontrager 1, Reid Chapman 1)
G-A Stat Leaders
Rebounds: Hayden Pritchard 8, C.J. Benard 6, Giovonni Evans 6, Anakin Jordan 5, Jeremiah Mann 4, Landen Bouchard 4, Ethan Gibson 3, Levi Born 3
Steals: Jeremiah Mann 4, Ethan Metty 2, Ethan Thomas 2
Blocked shots: C.J. Benard 1, Jeremiah Mann 1, Aidan Moses 1, Hayden Pritchard 1
Assists: C.J. Benard 5, Ethan Thomas 3, Ethan Metty 2, Ethan Gibson 2
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G-A Boys JV/Varsity Basketball
A Look Ahead ...
A Look Ahead ...
Regionals At Schoolcraft
3/4 Coloma District winner vs. Hackett District winner, 5:30 p.m.
3/4 Cassopolis District winner vs. Quincy District winner, 7 p.m.
3/6 Regional championship game, 7 p.m.
3/4 Coloma District winner vs. Hackett District winner, 5:30 p.m.
3/4 Cassopolis District winner vs. Quincy District winner, 7 p.m.
3/6 Regional championship game, 7 p.m.
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JV boys basketball team
wins finale to finish 17-3
Every member of the Galesburg-Augusta boys JV basketball team scored at least two points, helping the Rams finish the season on a positive note by posting a 67-26 win over Delton-Kellogg February 20 at Delton-Kellogg.
The Rams complete the season with a 17-3 record.
Hunter Pritchard led the way with 14 points, Patrick Armock and Cayden Allie each had nine points. Armock had his first dunk of the season and career.
G-A defeated Constantine 45-39 February 18 at Constantine. Armock scored 12 points to lead the Rams in scoring.
The Rams were also victorious over Gobles February 13 on the road, 44-31. Gavin Lock’s 18 points paced G-A.
The Rams fell to Coloma February 11, 54-20 on the road in a game G-A failed to score a single point in the second half.
Lady Rams building momentum
for post season
By Dale Martin
With the district tournaments approaching, the Galesburg-Augusta girls varsity basketball team continued to build momentum, capturing its third straight win February 21 over Delton-Kellogg.
Galesburg-Augusta’s Lady Rams finished the Division Season with a 63-26 win at the expense of the Panthers of Delton-Kellogg at Delton.
G-A will face Comstock in the district opener March 3 at 7 p.m. at G-A. A win would send G-A into the semifinals facing Hackett March 5 at 5:30 p.m., also at G-A. The district championship game is March 7 at 7 p.m. at G-A.
The Rams wasted little time in proving that they were ready by scoring the first 15 points of the game to give them a 15-2 first quarter lead. Jaidyn Klimp scored 6 points, and sister Jenisyn had 4 to lead the assault.
There was no let up as G-A scored the first 14 points of the second quarter and finished the period outscoring the Panthers 21-5 to give them a 36-7 lead going into halftime. The Rams shot at a 47% clip from the floor and connected on 8 of 11 free throws in the half.
The Panthers(4-16, 0-10) held a slight scoring edge in the third quarter, 14-12, with Jalin Lyons hitting for 8 of her team high 12 points. Josie Williams matched Lyons with 12 points of her own including 3, three-pointers late in the game.
G-A (13-7, 7-3) took control in the fourth quarter, outscoring Delton 16-7. Jaidyn Klimp scored 6 of her team high 20 points with Breanna Keene adding 4 of her 8 points.
For the Rams Grace Gibson, Lili Thompson and Jenisyn Klimp each scored 6 points. Hailee Themins and Brooklyn James each had 5 points as nine Rams scored points.
Klimp, G-A’s all-time career scoring leader, entered the regular season finale with 1173 points,
G-A will finish its regular season with a game at Battle Creek St. Philip on the February 27th.
Galesburg-Augusta 15 21 11 16 - 63
Delton-Kellogg 2 5 12 7 - 26
Grace Gibson 6, Hailee Themins 5, Breanne Keene 8, Lillian Thompson 6, Jaidyn Klimp 20, Jenny Klimp 6, Ellesa Callender 3, Brooklyn James 5, Rhyann Wilson 4
Free throws: G-A 13-20/Delton-Kellogg 3-9
3-point baskets: G-A Grace Gibson 1, Hailee Themins 1/Delton-Kellogg 3 (Josie Williams 3)
G-A Stat Leaders
Rebounds: Breanne Keene 7, Jaidyn Klimp 7, Rhyann Wilson 4
Steals: Jaidyn Klimp 8, Rhyann Wilson 3, Ellesa Callender 2, Addison Born 2, Hailee Themins 2
Assists: Grace Gibson 4, Jaidyn Klimp 3, Rhyann Wilson 2, Addison Born 2, Lillian Thompson 2
Blocked shots: Hailee Themins 1, Lillian Thompson 1, Brooklyn James 1
With the district tournaments approaching, the Galesburg-Augusta girls varsity basketball team continued to build momentum, capturing its third straight win February 21 over Delton-Kellogg.
Galesburg-Augusta’s Lady Rams finished the Division Season with a 63-26 win at the expense of the Panthers of Delton-Kellogg at Delton.
G-A will face Comstock in the district opener March 3 at 7 p.m. at G-A. A win would send G-A into the semifinals facing Hackett March 5 at 5:30 p.m., also at G-A. The district championship game is March 7 at 7 p.m. at G-A.
The Rams wasted little time in proving that they were ready by scoring the first 15 points of the game to give them a 15-2 first quarter lead. Jaidyn Klimp scored 6 points, and sister Jenisyn had 4 to lead the assault.
There was no let up as G-A scored the first 14 points of the second quarter and finished the period outscoring the Panthers 21-5 to give them a 36-7 lead going into halftime. The Rams shot at a 47% clip from the floor and connected on 8 of 11 free throws in the half.
The Panthers(4-16, 0-10) held a slight scoring edge in the third quarter, 14-12, with Jalin Lyons hitting for 8 of her team high 12 points. Josie Williams matched Lyons with 12 points of her own including 3, three-pointers late in the game.
G-A (13-7, 7-3) took control in the fourth quarter, outscoring Delton 16-7. Jaidyn Klimp scored 6 of her team high 20 points with Breanna Keene adding 4 of her 8 points.
For the Rams Grace Gibson, Lili Thompson and Jenisyn Klimp each scored 6 points. Hailee Themins and Brooklyn James each had 5 points as nine Rams scored points.
Klimp, G-A’s all-time career scoring leader, entered the regular season finale with 1173 points,
G-A will finish its regular season with a game at Battle Creek St. Philip on the February 27th.
Galesburg-Augusta 15 21 11 16 - 63
Delton-Kellogg 2 5 12 7 - 26
Grace Gibson 6, Hailee Themins 5, Breanne Keene 8, Lillian Thompson 6, Jaidyn Klimp 20, Jenny Klimp 6, Ellesa Callender 3, Brooklyn James 5, Rhyann Wilson 4
Free throws: G-A 13-20/Delton-Kellogg 3-9
3-point baskets: G-A Grace Gibson 1, Hailee Themins 1/Delton-Kellogg 3 (Josie Williams 3)
G-A Stat Leaders
Rebounds: Breanne Keene 7, Jaidyn Klimp 7, Rhyann Wilson 4
Steals: Jaidyn Klimp 8, Rhyann Wilson 3, Ellesa Callender 2, Addison Born 2, Hailee Themins 2
Assists: Grace Gibson 4, Jaidyn Klimp 3, Rhyann Wilson 2, Addison Born 2, Lillian Thompson 2
Blocked shots: Hailee Themins 1, Lillian Thompson 1, Brooklyn James 1
JV girls basketball team wins finale
The Galesburg-Augusta girls JV basketball team finished the season with a 12-4 record after recording a 35-24 win over Delton-Kellogg February 21 at Delton-Kellogg.
Kayla Bortolussi scored 10 points, Emily Coleman scored eight points and Lillian Jones chipped in with six points.
G-A coach Dontrell Bowden felt the girls played great team basketball in the finale.
Kayla Bortolussi scored 10 points, Emily Coleman scored eight points and Lillian Jones chipped in with six points.
G-A coach Dontrell Bowden felt the girls played great team basketball in the finale.
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G-A JV/Var. Girls Basketball
A Look Ahead ...
District Tournament At G-A
3/3 G-A Vs. Comstock, 7 p.m.
3/5 Hackett Vs. G-A-Comstock winner, 5:30 p.m.
3/5 K-Christ. Vs. Lawton, 7 p.m.
3/7 championship game, 7 p.m.
Regionals at Niles Brandywine
3/10 Bangor District winner vs. G-A District winner, 5:30 p.m.
3/10 Bridgman District winner vs. Bronson District winner, 7 p.m.
3/12 championship game, 7 p.m.
A Look Ahead ...
District Tournament At G-A
3/3 G-A Vs. Comstock, 7 p.m.
3/5 Hackett Vs. G-A-Comstock winner, 5:30 p.m.
3/5 K-Christ. Vs. Lawton, 7 p.m.
3/7 championship game, 7 p.m.
Regionals at Niles Brandywine
3/10 Bangor District winner vs. G-A District winner, 5:30 p.m.
3/10 Bridgman District winner vs. Bronson District winner, 7 p.m.
3/12 championship game, 7 p.m.
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