Learning to finish remains a focus as win slips away from Gilman

After falling behind 20-4 to start Monday’s boys season opener, the Gilman Pirates put together an impressive 15minute stretch of basketball that put them in a great position to win.

But learning to win the close ones remained the next elusive step in the Pirates’ rebuild.

The visiting Flambeau Falcons tightened things up just enough defensively in the final 9:40 to outscore Gilman 17-4 down the stretch and escape with a 46-41 win.

Defense had turned the game around for Gilman, who got the Falcons rattled when it switched to some 2-2-1 full-court trapping midway through the first half. The Pirates got some turnovers, started getting some shots to fall and by halftime, they had cut Flambeau’s early 16-point lead to 23-20.

The surge continued into the first nine minutes of the second half as Gilman was seemingly in command leading 37-29. But the Pirates weren’t able to finish it off.

“We need to learn to how win these games,” Gilman head coach Tyler Pockat said.

While it was a disappointing finish, Pockat said he was encouraged by what Gilman did in the middle portion of the game. The Pirates won the turnover battle, forcing 19 while committing 17 and both teams scored 14 points off turnovers and the rebounding battle was close with Flambeau holding a 45-40 overall edge.

Ultimately it came down to free throws and which team would finally make some as both teams had a rough night from the stripe. The Falcons were just 14 of 33 but Dominic Kopacz was six of six in the last 1:31 and that got Flambeau over the top. Gilman made five of 13 free throws.

“I liked that we stopped turning the ball over,” Pockat said of Gilman’s good stretch. “We were able to see what was there and the kinds of things we’re looking for in our offense.”

Eli Hruby sparked Flambeau’s 20-4 opening run by scoring eight of his 11 points on the night. Logan Halida tipped a defensive rebound top himself and passed ahead to Sawyer Winger for a layup, Beau Pockat hit two free throws with 5:13 left in the first half and then he scored off a sideline inbound play. Now down 10, Gilman started to roll.

Pockat fed Halida for a score. Halida missed a bonus free throw, but tracked down the long rebound and kicked the ball out to Dawson Grunseth, who sank a long 3. Joey Syryczuk scored off a Max Ustianowski assist off a short corner set in Gilman’s zone offense. Pockat sank a 3ball and suddenly it was 21-20 before Falcon Chanse Ludescher ended the run with a rebound hoop.

Halida tipped in his own miss and Ustianowski got a rebound bucket to give Gilman its first lead since 2-0 in the opening moments of the second half. Halida’s steal gave Pockat an easy score and Joey Syryczuk drove in for two for a 28-23 Gilman lead.

Flambeau got within 30-29 when the Pirates went on another short surge. Tony Syryczuk made one of two free throws, Joey Syryczuk got an easy bucket and then took a charge defensively. That led to a Halida basket. Two free throws by Pockat made it 37-29 with 11:06 left.

A couple of scores off offensive rebounds sparked Flambeau’s resurgence down the stretch. Joey Syryczuk hit a short shot off an inbound play to give Gilman a 39-38 lead, but the Falcons made eight of 12 free throws in the last 4:40.

Pockat led Gilman in scoring with 13 points. He added six rebounds and two assists. Joey Syryczuk scored eight points and tied for the team lead with eight rebounds. Ustianowski and Halida scored six points each. Halida also had eight rebounds, four steals and three assists. Ustianowski also grabbed eight rebounds and had two assists.

Winger scored four points, Grunseth had three points, four rebounds and two steals. Tyler Pockat credited Grunseth for helping spark the team with his energy off the bench in the first half. Tony Syryczuk had a point, three rebounds and two assists.

Kopacz scored 12 points for Flambeau and had nine rebounds, five steals and four assists.

Gilman hosts Lake Holcombe tonight, Thursday, at about 7:15 p.m. on the back end of a girls/boys varsity doubleheader. The Pirates start Eastern Cloverbelt Conference play Tuesday at Owen-Withee, also at 7:15 p.m.