Rams top Panthers in Monday night
rivalry game, 52-45
The Galesburg-Augusta girls varsity basketball team picked up its 12th victory of the season by downing Climax-Scotts 52-45 February 17 at G-A High School.
It was the Panthers that got off to a strong start, winning the first quarter 14-8.
The Rams responded scoring the first five points of the second period and after a Panther basket went on a 9-0 run propelling them to a 24-20 halftime lead.
G-A increased its lead to 38-31 with both teams exchanging baskets throughout the third quarter.
The Rams had their biggest lead of the game 50-38 with 1:30 remaining in the game.
The Panthers defense applied full court pressure and forced the Rams into several turnovers. A seven point run closed the scoring gap to 50-45 but time ran out on the C-S come from behind bid.
Jaidyn Klimp scored 23 points to go with 12 rebounds and 8 steals. Grace Gibson had 9 points, Rhyann Wilson 8, Jenisyn Klimp 6 and Lili Thompson 5 for the Rams (12-7, 6-3).
Klimp, G-A’s all-time career leading scorer, entered the Delton-Kellogg road game February 21 with 1153 points,
C-S shot 40.4 percent (17-42) overall from the floor that included a 4-for-9 effort from the three-point line, while G-A connected on 34 percent (18-53) and 54 percent (7-13) from the three-point line.
G-A closes out division play with a game at Delton-Kellogg on Friday, February 21st.
Climax-Scotts 14 6 11 14 - 45
Galesburg-Augusta 8 16 14 14 - 52
CLIMAX-SCOTTS: Sophie Braithwaite 9, Holly Talbert 9, Ashlynn Gilbert 6, Addy Reeves 21
GALESBURG-AUGUSTA: Grace Gibson 9, Lilli Thompson 5, Jaidyn Klimp 23, Jeni Klimp 6, Ellesa Callender 1, Rhyann Wilson 8
Free throws: C-S 7-10/G-A 7-13
3-point baskets: C-S 4 (Sophie Braithwaite 3, Holly Talbert 1
Rebounds: Jaidyn Klimp 12, Grace Gibson 6, Ellesa Calender 3
Assists: Jaidyn Klimp 3
Steals: Jaidyn Klimp 8, Lillian Thompson 6, Grace Gibson 4, Jenny Klimp 3, Ellesa Callender 3
Blocked shots: Grace Gibson 1, Hailee Themins 1
The first quarter of Senior Night at Galesburg-Augusta High School found the Rams trailing the visitors from Gobles 14-12, however the home team responded with two huge quarters to post a 71-39 win over the Tigers February 14.
G-A’s offense kicked it into high gear in the second period with a 15-0 run propelling them to a 22-4 quarter and a 34-18 halftime lead.
Jaidyn Klimp scored 8 of her game high 20 points in the run. Jenisyn Klimp scored 5 points, Lili Thompson had 4, Ellesa Callender 3 and Addi Born 2 for the Rams. Kylee Killeen kept Gobles in the game early picking up 10 of the Tigers’ 14 first quarter points.
Rams coach, Jake Wortinger, gave Jenisyn Klimp the task of slowing Killeen down. Jenisyn responded holding the Tiger’s all-conference star to just 8 points over the next 3 periods.
The third quarter matched the first with Gobles outscoring G-A 14-13 but not enough to shrink the G-A lead. G-A (11-7, 6-3) finished the game with a 24-7 fourth quarter burst and when the dust had settled the Rams had their eleventh win of the season 71-39.
Nine Rams made the scoring column with Jaidyn leading the way with 20 points. The Ram senior and all time career leading scorer at G-A entered the home game February 17 against C-S with 1130 career points.
Jenisyn pitched in with 10 points, Callender 9, Hailee Themins 8, Grace Gibson 7 and 6 each from Lili Thompson and Brooklyn James.
Killeen finished with 18 points for Gobles (11-7, 4-5). Daisy Jackson scored 9 points and Ellie Wood finished with 7 for the Tigers.
Gobles 14 4 14 7 - 39
Galesburg-Augusta 12 22 13 24 - 71
Grace Gibson 7, Hailee Themins 8, Lilli Thompson 8, Jaidyn Klimp 20, Jeni Klimp 10, Addi Born 2, Ellesa Callender 7, Brooklyn James 6, Rhyann Wilson 3
Free throws: G-A 7-10/Gobles 9-19
3-point baskets: G-A 4 (Hailee Themins 2, Grace Gibson 1, Rhyann Wilson 1)/Gobles 2 (Kylee Killeen 2)
Rebounds: Jaidyn Klimp 8, Ellesa Calendar 5, Lillian Thompson 5, Grace Gibson 4, Rhyann Wilson 3
Assists: Grace Gibson 3, Lillian Thompson 2, Holley Coburn 2, Jaidyn Klimp 2, Jenny Klimp 2, Rhyann Wilson 2
Steals: Jaidyn Klimp 11, Jenny Klimp 4, Rhyann Wilson 3, Grace Gibson 2, Lillian Thompson 2, Holley Coburn 2, Ellesa Callendar 2
Blocked shots: Jenny Klimp 1
G-A’s Holley Coburn (left) and Jaidyn Klimp (20) battle C-S’ Addy Reeves for a rebound during action February 17 at G-A High School.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
On February 11th the Galesburg-Augusta lady basketball team were defeated by the Tigers of Allegan in a cross-division game, 39-37. The loss was the seventh for the Rams against 10 wins.
In a close game the margin of victory often comes down to the free throw line. This game was one of those. The Rams made just six of twenty free throw attempts with nine of those misses coming in the fourth quarter.
G-A led 9-7 after one period and 18-17 at halftime. Jaidyn Klimp accounted for 8 of G-A’s first half points. Lili Thompson scored 4 points and Jenisyn Klimp and Ellesa Callender 2 apiece.
Allegan erased the Ram lead with a 15-10 third quarter advantage. G-A won the fourth quarter 9-7 but it wasn’t enough to secure the win. The loss was the second in a row, the first time the Rams had two consecutive losses this season.
Jaidyn Klimp scored 10 points to go with 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 assists for G-A despite sitting out most of the second quarter and all of the third with foul trouble. Jenisyn Klimp had 7 points and 5 rebounds and Holley Coburn and Ellesa Callender each chipped in with 6 points and 6 rebounds.
Allegan 7 10 15 7 - 39
Galesburg-Augusta 9 9 10 9 - 37
Grace Gibson 3, Lilli Thompson 5, Holley Coburn 6, Jaidyn Klimp 12, Jeni Klimp 5, Ellesa Callender 6
Free throws: G-A 6-20/Allegan 5-17
3-point baskets: G-A 1 (Holley Coburn)/Allegan 2 (Ellie Bishop 1, Bailey Meade 1)
Rebounds: Jaidyn Klimp 10, Grace Gibson 9, Rhyann Wilson 6, Ellesa Callender 6, Holley Coburn 5, Jenny Klimp 5, Brooklyn James 4
Assists: Jaidyn Klimp 4, Grace Gibson 3
Steals: Jaidyn Klimp 4, Lillian Thompson 3, Grace Gibson 3, Holley Coburn 2
Blocked Shots: Brooklyn James 2, Lillian Thompson 1
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A Look Ahead ...
2/21 Delton (JV/Var.) Away 4 p.m.
2/27 B.C. St. Phil (JV/Var.) Away 5:30 p.m.
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G-A boys basketball team captures
3rd straight division championship
Why stop now when more noteworthy accomplishments are within reach.
That’s what the Galesburg-Augusta boys varsity basketball team is thinking as the Rams enter the final few regular season games and beyond in the postseason.
G-A claimed its third straight SAC Central Division championship with a 61-37 win over Gobles February 14 at G-A High School on senior-parent night. G-A had never won three straight division championships or won a league championship in boys basketball before divisional championships replaced league titles.
Last Friday’s win over Gobles also marked the 11th straight victory for the Rams. G-A Athletic Director Mike Woodard said the 11 straight wins is also a school record, surpassing the 10 straight wins the 2022-2023 Rams accomplished.
The win sends G-A into a February 18 game at Constantine with a 16-4 overall record and 8-1 mark in the SAC Valley Division.
The school record for wins in a season was set last year at 17 (17-5), leaving the Rams with a good opportunity to share that honor or eclipse the school record.
G-A closes out the regular season February 21 at Delton-Kellogg following the February 18 game at Constantine.
G-A coach Brian Dolph said winning the SAC Central Division was a team success goal entering the season.
The G-A coach said the conversation about setting a school record for regular seasons wins won’t begin until after the February 18 game against Constantine if the Rams can win.
Dolph said it wasn’t until after the team started 5-4 the team met and discussed setting more goals.
“Since that meeting we have won 11 straight, eclipsing the record of the 22-23 team. I have truly been a fan of this team. The way they play the game is fun to watch. They play hard, unselfish, and with great spirit. We are proud of their accomplishments but not satisfied yet. We have more goals we want to achieve,” said Dolph.
Gobles (10-9 and 6-3) could have climbed into a share of first place with G-A with a win last Friday, but the determined Rams put the Tigers in a big hole early, marching out to a 22-6 lead after one quarter behind 13 points by Jeremiah Mann, who was held scoreless in the previous game against Coloma.
G-A continued the strong defense in the second quarter and six different Rams scored, led by Mann’s two triples that helped the home team open up a 41-15 lead at halftime.
G-A led by a 55-25 margin after three quarters before Gobles outscored the Rams 12-6 in the final stanza.
Mann finished with 22 points, three steals and three rebounds and Hayden Pritchard added 10 points.
G-A begins district tournament play February 26 at 5:30 p.m. at Hackett, facing the Lawton-Comstock winner in a game that will be played February 24. The district championship game is February 28 at 7 p.m.
Gobles 6 9 10 12 - 37
Galesburg-Augusta 22 19 14 6 - 61
Levi Born 2, Jeremiah Mann 22, Ethan Thomas 4, C.J. Benard 12, Ethan Gibson 2, Giovonni Evans 7, Nolan Brewer 2, Hayden Pritchard 10
Free throws: G-A 6-12/Gobles 5-10
3-point baskets: G-A 7 (Jeremiah Mann 5, Hayden Pritchard 2)/Gobles 2 (Alex Akens 1, Carter Crippon 1)
Rebounds: Giovonni Evans 4, Anakin Jordan 4, Ethan Thomas 4, Nolan Brewer 3, C.J. Benard 3, Jeremiah Mann 3
Assists: Ethan Gibson 5, C.J. Benard 3, Giovonni Evans 2, Nolan Brewer 2
Blocked Shots: Nolan Brewer 2
Steals: Jeremiah Mann 3, C.J. Benard 3, , Nolan Brewer 3, Ethan Gibson 2, Giovonni Evans 2
The Rams held off Coloma 48-45 February 11 at Coloma with a strong effort at the free throw in the fourth quarter.
The Rams pulled in front 39-37 after three quarters, and held on for the win by sinking five-of-six free throws in the final quarter.
Coloma held a 12-11 lead after one quarter and led by a 27-26 count at halftime despite 10 points scored by G-A’s Giovonni Evans.
Evans led G-A with 18 points, four rebounds, and three steals. Ethan Thomas contributed a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and one blocked shot and Ethan Gibson tossed in eight points to go with three rebounds.
Galesburg-Augusta 11 15 13 9 - 48
Coloma 12 15 10 8 - 45
Ethan Thomas 13, C.J. Benard 4, Ethan Gibson 8, Giovonni Evans 18, Nolan Brewer 2, Anakin Jordan 2, Hayden Pritchard 1
Free throws: G-A 6-10/Coloma 4-7
3-point baskets: G-A 4 (Ethan Gibson 2, Giovonni Evans 1, Ethan Thomas 1)/Coloma 9 (Tyrell Owens 3, Xavier Pompey 3, Ryan Schroeder 3
Rebounds: Ethan Thomas 10, C.J. Benard 7, Nolan Brewer 6, Jeremiah Mann 4, Giovonni Evans 4, Ethan Gibson 3, Anakin Jordan 3
Assists: Nolan Brewer 3
Steals: Jeremiah Mann 3, Giovonni Evans 3, Nolan Brewer 2
Blocked Shots: Hayden Pritchard 1, Ethan Thomas 1
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A Look Ahead ...
2/21 Delton (Var.) Away 7 p.m.
Districts At Hackett
2/24 Lawton Vs. Comstock, 5:30 p.m.
2/24 K-Christ. Vs. Gobles, 7 p.m.
2/26 G-A Vs. Lawton-Comstock winner, 5:30 p.m.
2/26 Hackett Vs. Gobles-K-Christ. winner, 7 p.m.
2/28 District championship game, 7 p.m.
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G-A’s Alexis Thomas falls short in
bid to qualify for state finals
Galesburg-Augusta High School freshman Alexis Thomas fell short in a bid to qualify for the Individual State Finals at the Girls Individual Regionals February 15 at Portage Northern.
Thomas, wrestling in the 145-pound weight class, lost her quarterfinal match to Kelloggsville’s Uwamahoro Gloria by a pin in 3:06 and then lost the consolation round 1 match to Plainwell’s Kornelia Dranikowska by a 15-0 technical fall.
Thomas finishes the season with a 6-10 record.
The top 4 placers in each weigth class qualified for the Individual State Finals February 28-March 1 at Ford Field.
Thomas qualified for the Individual Regionals with a third place finish at the Individual District Tournament February 9, finishing that event with a 3-1 record.
Alexis Thomas (6-10) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points. Quarterfinal - Uwamahoro Gloria (Kelloggsville Hs) 22-7 won by fall over Alexis Thomas (Galesburg-Augusta Hs) 6-10 (Fall 3:06) Cons. Round 1 - Kornelia Dranikowska (Plainwell Hs) 19-20 won by tech fall over Alexis Thomas (Galesburg-Augusta Hs) 6-10 (TF-1.5 1:48 (15-0))
JV girls basketball team responds to
loss with win over Gobles
The Galesburg-Augusta girls JV basketball team responded to a loss to Allegan February 11 with a 42-21 win over Gobles February 14 at G-A High School.
Every member of the team scored. Emily Coleman and Claire Callender each scored eight points and Aaralyn Gain added seven points for the Rams, who improved to 11-4.
G-A coach Dontrell Bowden felt great team work was displayed by his team and the team played well.
The Lady Rams fell short in a 20-13 loss to Allegan February 11 at Galesburg-Augusta. Scoring leaders and highlights were not available.
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