Ram Sports

Seniors, freshman help G-A girls
varsity nudge past C-S


By Bruce Rolfe

While it took a collective team effort to register a 50-48 non-conference win over Climax-Scotts December 30 at C-S High School, it was youth teaming up with experienced players who proved to be big factors in the Lady Rams’ win.

Senior Grace Gibson dropped in 18 points, including two big free throws with 23.9 seconds left that put G-A ahead for good, 49-48. The Ram senior also came up with nine rebounds, handed out five assists, and had three steals.

Sophomore Kayla Bortolussi scored two big baskets late in the fourth quarter.

Freshman Rayonna Alexander showed great court composure from the guard position despite her youth and inexperience at the varsity level.

She finished with 14 points and sank one free throw with 1 second left that established the final score.

She showed no fear driving the lane many trips down the floor.

“I just think she (Alexander) needed to settle in and get comfortable. She hasn’t played on varsity. That’s a big jump from eighth grade to varsity. Seeing her settle in, I think she’s getting comfortable with the team. She’s taken on a leading role and I think it’s benefitted her. In practice too. My seniors helped her out a lot. (Grace Gibson) does a great job leading Ray (Rayonna Alexander) in practice,” said G-A coach Katlyn Dunithan.

The win sent G-A into a big home game January 6 against Schoolcraft with a 3-1 record.

A Brooklyn James basket and free throw with 5:15 left gave G-A a 43-30 lead, however C-S came storming back.

A basket and triple moments later by C-S’ Holly Talbert pulled the Panthers to within 43-35.


C-S forced a G-A turnover and moments later Kendal Reitz sank two big free throws with 3:05 left to reduce C-S’ deficit to 43-37.

Another G-A turnover followed by a Reitz basket and free throw after a foul with 2:34 left pulled C-S to within 43-40.

The two teams traded the next four baskets, however a Reitz basket with 1:12 remaining left the Rams clinging to a 47-46 lead.

C-S forced a G-A turnover and Talbert buried a 15-footer from the left wing with 35 seconds left, giving C-S its first lead since the 6:25 mark of the second quarter, 48-47.

Grace Gibson restored the G-A lead for good with a pair of free throws with 23.9 seconds left.

C-S had an opportunity to tie or move back in front but turned the ball over with 2.9 seconds left.

Alexander split a pair of free throws with one second left for the final margin.

Securing a win in the final seconds after C-S took a brief lead, came one week after the Rams defeated Centreville on a last second shot by Emily Coleman in the Mendon Holiday Tournament.

Those types of back to back wins can elevate confidence levels.

“We’re just going one game at a time. A big focus on execution at this point and making sure we’re doing the little things. It’s all about fundamentals at this point. We’ve got to make sure in the next game we stick to those little things we got behind on tonight,” said Dunithan.

The G-A coach was also pleased how her team responded to C-S’ fourth quarter comeback but did not cave.

“And we were in foul trouble. I’m really happy how they came out and they made sure they didn’t foul out and they put their nose to the floor and made sure they were hustling and playing good defense and making sure they were putting away shots. Plus, some free throws. We talk about all of the time you’ve got to make free throws and layups,” adds the first year coach.

G-A took a 12-9 lead into the second quarter, expanded the lead to 28-21 at halftime and led by a 37-28 count at the end of three quarters.

Talbert led C-S with 19 points and two assists and Reitz contributed 11 points, two assists and three steals. 
Galesburg-Augusta  12 16 9 13 - 50
Climax-Scotts           9 12  7 20 - 48

CLIMAX-SCOTTS:
Kendal Reitz 11, Alyse Langs 3, Sophie Braithwaite 3, Holly Talbert 19, Ashlynn Gilbert 1, Annabelle Edwards 5, Addy Reeves 6
Free throws: C-S 9-20
3-point baskets: C-S: Sophie Braithwaite 1, Alyse Langs 1
C-S Stat Leaders

Rebounds: Annabelle Edwards 8, Addy Reeves 4
Assists: Holly Talbert 2, Kendal Reitz 2
Steals: Addy Reeves 7, Ashlynn Gilbert 3, Kendal Reitz 3

GALESBURG-AUGUSTA:
Grace Gibson 18, Rayonna Alexander 14, Lexi Coburn 4, Jeni Klimp 2, Brooklyn James 7, Kayla Bortolussi 5
Free throws: G-A 16-25
3-point baskets: G-A 2 (Grace Gibson 1, Rayonna Alexander 1
G-A Stat Leaders

Rebounds: Grace Gibson 9, Emily Coleman 6, Brooklyn James 6, Lexi Coburn 5
Assists: Grace Gibson 5
Steals: Grace Gibson 3. Lexi Coburn 3
Blocked shots: Jeni Klimp 1, Emily Coleman 1

G-A Girls Basketball
A Look Ahead ...

1/9 Gobles (Var.) Home 6 p.m.
Hall of Fame night
1/13 Parchment (JV/Var.) Away 5:30 p.m.
1/16 Delton (Var.) Away 6 p.m.
1/20 Coloma (Var.) Home 7 p.m.


Defense key in boys varsity
basketball team’s win over Martin


By Bruce Rolfe

The Galesburg-Augusta boys varsity basketball team could not overcome a cold shooting stretch late in the game in a 60-58 loss to Mendon in the championship game of the Mendon Holiday Tournament January 2 at Mendon High School.

G-A, now 3-2, won the tournament opener, 63-41 over Martin December 30.

 G-A took a 58-57 lead with 1:29 left on a basket by Hayden Pritchard but went 0-for-5 from the floor in the last minute of the game.

After G-A missed three straight attempts with approximately one minute left, Mendon took the lead for good, 59-58, on Owen Gorham’s basket with 44 seconds left.

G-A missed two late attempts including a 15-footer that spun around the rim and out with two seconds left.

Mendon coraled the rebound and the Rams quickly fouled Owen Gorham with 1.6 seconds left.

The Mendon senior split a pair of free throws, establishing the final score.

After a G-A rebound and time out with 1.2 seconds left, the Rams attempted a long inbounds pass that was caught by Mendon with one second left ending the game.

The game was close the entire way. 


Mendon’s largest lead of the game was nine points twice, 19-10 after one quarter and 28-19 with 1:44 left in the second quarter. 

G-A’s biggest lead was two points on three occasions including 48-46 at the end of three quarters when Giovanni Evans scored a basket on a drive to the hoop with one second left.

After Mendon closed the first quarter with a 6-0 burst for a 19-10 lead, G-A enjoyed a late second quarter surge behind a three-point basket by Evans, a basket down low followed by a free throw by Aidan Moses after he was fouled and another basket by Evans with 36.8 seconds left that pulled G-A to within 38-37.

An Owen Gorham basket with 4.4 seconds left in the second quarter gave Mendon a 30-27 lead at halftime. 

G-A shot 34.8 percent (23-66) overall from the floor on 18-45 (40 percent) shooting from two-point range and 5-for-21 (23.8 percent) from distance.

Evans finished with 26 points, four rebounds and one blocked shot and Dontrell Bowden added 12 points, six rebounds, three steals and one blocked shot.

Mendon Holiday Tournament Championship Game

Galesburg-Augusta 10 17 21 10 - 58 
Mendon 19 11 16 14 - 60
Ethan Metty 2, C.J. Benard 6, Dontrell Bowden 12, Giovanni Evans 26, Zane Lenz 5, Hayden Pritchard 4, Aidan Moses 3
Free throws: G-A 7-12/Mendon 14-18
3-point baskets: G-A 5 (Dontrell Bowden 2, Giovanni Evans 2, Zane Lenz 1)/Mendon 4 (Ryder Gorham 2, Kyron Truckey 1, Carter Huston 1)
G-A Stat Leaders

Rebounds: Dontrell Bowden 6, C.J. Benard 6, Hayden Pritchard 5, Giovanni Evans 4
Steals: C.J. Benard 4, Dontrell Bowden 3
Blocked shots: Giovanni Evans 1, Dontrell Bowden 1

Defense Key In G-A’s Win In Holiday Tournament Opener


Strong defense and a big start helped the Galesburg-Augusta boys varsity basketball team to a 63-41 win over Martin in the Mendon Holiday Tournament opener December 30 at Mendon High School.

G-A came up with 17 steals and held Martin to single digits in two quarters.

Six Rams entered the scoring column in the first quarter, helping G-A to a 24-9 lead after one quarter.

The Rams led by a 36-19 count at halftime.

C.J. Benard scored eight points and Giovanni Evans added six in the third quarter, helping the Rams extend the lead to 56-35 entering the final frame.

G-A shot 39.7 percent (23-58) overall from the floor, including a 4-for-14 (29.6%) effort from three-point range and 43.2% (19-44) from two-point range.

Evans packaged 14 points, three assists and four steals to lead G-A.

Benard added 12 points and four rebounds, and Dontrell Bowden and Hayden Pritchard each contributed eight points.

Mendon Holiday Tournament

Galesburg-Augusta 24 12 20 7 - 63
Martin                       9 10 16 6 - 41
Ethan Metty 3, C.J. Benard 12, Dontrell Bowden 8, Giovanni Evans 14, Zane Lenz 2, Tristan Jackson 7, J.J. Bailey 1, Cayden Allie 2, Hayden Pritchard 8, Aidan Moses 6
Free throws: G-A 8-13/Martin 7-23
3-point baskets: G-A 3 (Ethan Metty 1, Hayden Pritchard 2)/Martin 2 (Jason Marshall 1, Ethan Fitzpatrick 1)
G-A Stat Leaders

Rebounds: Hayden Pritchard 7, Aidan Moses 4, C.J. Benard 4
Assists: Giovanni Evans 3
Steals: Giovanni Evans 4, Dontrell Bowden 3
Blocked Shot: J.J. Bailey 1

G-A JV/Var. Boys Basketball
A Look Ahead ...

1/9 Gobles (Var.) Home 7:30 p.m.
Hall of Fame night
1/13 Parchment (JV/Var.) Home 5:30 p.m.
1/15 Delton (JV) Home 5:30 p.m.
1/16 Delton (Var.) Away (7:30 p.m.)
1/20 Allegan (JV/Var.) Away 5:30 p.m.

Boys JV basketball team wins Mendon
Holiday Tournament championship


The Galesburg-Augusta boys JV basketball team captured the Mendon Holiday Tournament championship trophy with victories December 30 and January 2.

G-A opened the tournament with a 76-16 win over Martin December 30.

Hunter Pritchard led the Rams in scoring with 20 points and Jerome Bailey and Connor Welker each chipped in with 10 points.

The Rams captured the championship trophy January 2 with a 48-32 win over Mendon.

Hunter Pritchard’s 16 points led the way for the Rams. Connor Welker added 10 points.

G-A improves to 7-0.

G-A JVs fall to C-S


A 38-25 loss to Climax-Scotts December 30 at C-S, sent the Galesburg-Augusta girls JV basketball team into the new calendar year with a 1-4 record.

The Rams struggled offensively for the first three quarters, scoring four points in each quarter.

The Rams, who trailed by quarter scores of 8-4, 21-8 and 30-12, came to life in the fourth quarter with a 13-point effort but the deficit was too much.

Sophia Dohm, who scored six points in the fourth quarter, led G-A in scoring with 14 points

Galesburg-Augusta 4 4  4 13 - 25
Climax-Scotts         8 13 9  8 - 38

G-A wrestling team finishes 2nd at tournament


The Galesburg-Augusta wrestling team finished second with a 4-1 record at the Jason Caudill Invite at Homer High School January 3.

G-A defeated Vandercook Lake 66-0, Homer 48-18, Vicksburg, 48-36, and Concord, 66-12. G-A’s lone loss was to Delton-Kellogg, 10-67.

Donaven Tiffany (113 and 120-pound weight class) posted a 5-0 record on the day with one pin, a major decision and three forfeits and Jaxsen Kasten (113) was 4-0, with all wins coming by forfeit.

Kameron Prince (285), Jaxsen Ray (138 and 144), Jonah Ranes (165), Cody Lavel (175), and Nathaniel Ellis (190) were all 4-1.

Jason Caudill Invite at Homer High School
G-A 48, Vicksburg 36

215: Aaron Dugray (VICKSBRG) over (GALEAUG) (For.); 285: Kameron Prince (GALEAUG) over Broden Hanichen (VICKSBRG) (Fall 1:19); 106: Caleb Byrne (VICKSBRG) over (GALEAUG) (For.); 113: Donaven Tiffany (GALEAUG) over (VICKSBRG) (For.); 120: Owen Cowles (GALEAUG) over Aro Smith (VICKSBRG) (Fall 1:31); 126: Breckin Vickery (GALEAUG) over (VICKSBRG) (For.); 132: Hunter Smith (VICKSBRG) over Lincoln Hawes (GALEAUG) (Fall 0:39); 138: Tristan Perez (VICKSBRG) over Hunter Kendall (GALEAUG) (Fall 2:22); 144: Jaxsen Ray (GALEAUG) over Quintin Ruhl (VICKSBRG) (Fall 0:30); 150: Ryden Vansolkema (VICKSBRG) over Colton Robertson (GALEAUG) (Fall 2:38); 157: Breckin Meeks (VICKSBRG) over Lance Shoup (GALEAUG) (Fall 2:54); 165: Jonah Ranes (GALEAUG) over (VICKSBRG) (For.); 175: Lavell Cody (GALEAUG) over Logan Braysher (VICKSBRG) (Fall 2:58); 190: Nathaniel Ellis (GALEAUG) over (VICKSBRG) (For.)

G-A 66, Concord 12

106: Double Forfeit; 113: Jaxsen Kasten (GALEAUG) over (CONCORD) (For.); 120: Donaven Tiffany (GALEAUG) over Alexis Miller (CONCORD) (Fall 0:24); 126: Lincoln Hawes (GALEAUG) over (CONCORD) (For.); 132: Breckin Vickery (GALEAUG) over (CONCORD) (For.); 138: Ethan Cesco (CONCORD) over Hunter Kendall (GALEAUG) (Fall 0:56); 144: Jaxsen Ray (GALEAUG) over J.J. Davis (CONCORD) (Fall 1:51); 150: Colton Robertson (GALEAUG) over Jordyn Metcalf (CONCORD) (Fall 1:10); 157: Lance Shoup (GALEAUG) over Jasmine Carr (CONCORD) (Fall 0:14); 165: Jonah Ranes (GALEAUG) over Camden Ostrander (CONCORD) (Fall 1:18); 175: Lavell Cody (GALEAUG) over (CONCORD) (For.); 190: Nathaniel Ellis (GALEAUG) over (CONCORD) (For.); 215: Peyton Male (CONCORD) over (GALEAUG) (For.); 285: Kameron Prince (GALEAUG) over Kingston Travis (CONCORD) (Fall 0:13)

Delton-Kellogg 67, G-A 10

106: Brandon Nieuwenhuis (DELTKELL) over (GALEAUG) (For.); 113: Jaxsen Kasten (GALEAUG) over (DELTKELL) (For.); 120: Donaven Tiffany (GALEAUG) over Kayle Mclellan (DELTKELL) (MD 15-5); 126: Lane Steele (DELTKELL) over Owen Cowles (GALEAUG) (Dec 7-5); 132: Alec Sinkler (DELTKELL) over Lincoln Hawes (GALEAUG) (Fall 0:03); 138: Joseph Mccoy (DELTKELL) over Hunter Kendall (GALEAUG) (Fall 0:58); 144: Evan Stampfler (DELTKELL) over Jaxsen Ray (GALEAUG) (MD 11-2); 150: Griffyn Harmon (DELTKELL) over Colton Robertson (GALEAUG) (Fall 2:56); 157: Tucker Tack (DELTKELL) over Lance Shoup (GALEAUG) (Fall 2:57); 165: Mendon Phillips (DELTKELL) over Jonah Ranes (GALEAUG) (Fall 1:53); 175: Easton Reynolds (DELTKELL) over cody lavel (GALEAUG) (Fall 3:00); 190: Mason Ferris (DELTKELL) over Nathaniel Ellis (GALEAUG) (Fall 1:07); 215: David Cheftchuk (DELTKELL) over (GALEAUG) (For.); 285: Mitchell Swift (DELTKELL) over Kameron Prince (GALEAUG) (Fall 1:07)

G-A 48, Homer 18

106: Double Forfeit; 113: Jaxsen Kasten (GALEAUG) over (HOMER) (For.); 120: Donaven Tiffany (GALEAUG) over (HOMER) (For.); 126: Owen Cowles (GALEAUG) over Krysten Stowe (HOMER) (Fall 1:17); 132: Isaac Miller (HOMER) over Lincoln Hawes (GALEAUG) (Fall 1:12); 138: Andrew Failing (HOMER) over Hunter Kendall (GALEAUG) (Fall 1:40); 144: Jaxsen Ray (GALEAUG) over (HOMER) (For.); 150: Alexander DuBois (HOMER) over Lance Shoup (GALEAUG) (Fall 0:59); 157: Double Forfeit; 165: Jonah Ranes (GALEAUG) over (HOMER) (For.); 175: Lavell Cody (GALEAUG) over (HOMER) (For.); 190: Nathaniel Ellis (GALEAUG) over (HOMER) (For.); 215: Double Forfeit; 285: Kameron Prince (GALEAUG) over Blaine Payne (HOMER) (Fall 0:23)

G-A 66, Vandercook Lake 0

106: Double Forfeit; 113: Jaxson Kasten (GALEAUG) over (VCOOKLK) (For.); 120: Donaven Tiffany (GALEAUG) over (VCOOKLK) (For.); 126: Lincoln Hawes (GALEAUG) over (VCOOKLK) (For.); 132: Hunter Kendall (GALEAUG) over (VCOOKLK) (For.); 138: Jaxsen Ray (GALEAUG) over (VCOOKLK) (For.); 144: Colton Robertson (GALEAUG) over Dallas Swaenepoel (VCOOKLK) (Fall 5:41); 150: Lance Shoup (GALEAUG) over (VCOOKLK) (For.);
157: Double Forfeit; 165: Jonah Ranes (GALEAUG) over Tanner Sildack (VCOOKLK) (Fall 1:28); 175: cody lavel (GALEAUG) over (VCOOKLK) (For.); 190: Nathaniel Ellis (GALEAUG) over (VCOOKLK) (For.); 215: Double Forfeit; 285: Kameron Prince (GALEAUG) over Darius Stephens (VCOOKLK) (Fall 0:23)

G-A Boys/Girls Wrestling
A Look Ahead ...

1/10 Olivet Tourn. Men and Women Away 9 a.m.
1/14 SAC Double Dual At Schoolcraft
Vs. Schoolcraft and Allegan 6 p.m.
1/17 Kalamazoo Cent. Tourn. Away TBD
1/18 Kalamazoo Cent. Womens Tourn. 9 a.m.

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