Flambeau controls the boards, gets the win over Gilman boys

GILMAN BOYS BASKETBALL

Andrew Hecker had a huge 24-point, 16-rebound double-double despite Flambeau’s concerted efforts to slow him down Thursday, but the Gilman Pirates couldn’t quite add enough additional offense to get over the hump in a 60-53 nonconference loss to the Falcons.

Hecker’s efforts were duplicated by Flambeau’s Riley Ewer, who had 26 points and 16 rebounds in the non-conference contest played at Gilman. It was the rescheduled date of a Dec. 9 postponement.

The game ultimately came down to number of possessions, according to Gilman head coach Wade Hendricks. Flambeau had a big 52-30 edge in rebounding, aided by the absence of injured Gilman post player Peyton Heiman and 16 Pirate turnovers.

“Our last two games we have had fewer possessions on the offensive end due to our lack of rebounding and our turnovers,” Hendricks said. “Hopefully we can get that straightened out soon.”

Flambeau led 24-19 at the half and Hendricks said 14 of the Falcons’ 24 points were second-chance points. The second half was nearly dead even with Flambeau holding a slight 36-34 scoring edge.

Neither team shot outstanding from the field. Another big edge for Flambeau, however, came at the free throw line. The Falcons were 22 of 32, while Gilman was 10 of 19.

The Pirates were 19 of 58 from the field overall (32.8%) but a solid 14 of 26 on twopoint shots (53.8%). They were just five of 32 (15.6%) from behind the 3-point arc.

Flambeau, who improved to 2-3 overall, was 17 of 60 overall (28.3%) and just four of 30 (13.3%) from long range. The Falcons turned the ball over 21 times.

“We struggled getting the ball in the hoop and haven’t shot well for a while now from deep,” Hendricks said. “Something will need to change there. Mostly we missed some key opportunities on the line throughout the game that could have been the difference, and had had too many empty possessions.”

Hecker hit nine of 13 shots from the field and five of nine free throws in his 24-point outing. He added five steals, three blocked shots and an assist. Ethan Grunseth added 10 points, three steals, two rebounds and an assist. Jordan Goebel hit three of Gilman’s five treys and finished with nine points, four assists and two rebounds.

Blake Wisocky had seven points, including a 3-pointer, four rebounds, two assists and a steal. Isaac Wininger scored three points and had two steals, three rebounds and an assist. Ewer’s big night for Flambeau included eight-of-16 shooting from the field and 10-of-13 shooting at the free throw line. Harley Opachan added 16 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double of his own.

Gilman, now 1-5 overall, is off until Jan. 6 when it hosts Rib Lake (6-1) in a tough non-conference matchup at 7:15 p.m. The Pirates resume Eastern Cloverbelt Conference play the following night at Columbus Catholic.