Gillett bests Marion in nonconference boys basketball clash

The Gillett Secondary School boys basketball team turned in a well-rounded effort in its 61-33 nonconference victory over Marion on Dec. 1 in Gillett.

The Tigers knocked down nine 3-pointers while also attacking the paint against Marion’s zone defense. Gillett also locked the visiting Mustangs down on the defensive end, and pulled away for a lopsided win in its season-opening contest.

“It’s good. Last year, we lost our first couple of games and we started out very low, but it’s nice to get a win in our first game,” said Jesse DeBauch, who led the Tigers with 20 points.

“It feels great, we got a lot of confidence now,” said Austin VandeCorput, who added 15 points. “We just got to build on that and keep that momentum going.”

Gillett looked like it might run away with the game early after jumping out to a 9-2 lead in the first three minutes. Ben Matczak hit a triple for the team’s first points of the year, and then DeBauch knocked down a couple more triples.

Parker Miller kept Marion in the contest, scoring six straight points for his team to cut the deficit to two, but another DeBauch 3-pointer forced a Marion timeout.

“In zone, that’s all you can really do is move the ball fast. We get it to our high post, and they look opposite and it’s usually wide open,” said DeBauch. “In zone, you can’t really guard that.”

With Marion making some tweaks to its defensive approach, Gillett countered to continue getting good offensive looks.

VandeCorput got into the heart of the Marion defense and was able to knock down a couple shots from around the free throw line. His play near the paint helped keep defenders off the 3-point line, and the hosts ended the opening half with six 3-point makes.

“I know when I’m in the middle of a zone there’s a lot of people, so when I get it, I like to look for the dish, and if it’s not there, I like to make my move and go up for a basket,” said VandeCorput.

Miller kept the Mustangs within striking distance for much of the first half, but a 3-pointer from Aydin Franti and bucket from Tyler Frank right before the halftime buzzer gave the hosts a 32-15 halftime lead.

Marion’s Jaden Stuhr hit a shot on the visitor’s opening possession of the second half and a 3-pointer from Sam Gueths brought the Mustangs within 12. After that, Gillett went on a 6-0 run and ran away with the lead.

“Our offense we were running, we didn’t really get open looks, we weren’t going as hard as we normally do,” said Miller. “Defensively, we weren’t fast enough tonight.”

“They pressured the ball really well and they played tight defense — there’s not much you can do,” said Stuhr of Gillett’s play. “They knocked down some good 3s and continued hitting their shots throughout the game and made it tough to play good defense when they do that, and they’d also be quick inside.”

Miller led Marion with 16 points in the contest. Stuhr, who picked up four first-half fouls, was second on the team in scoring with seven points.

The Mustangs were missing a couple players and only had eight players suited for the contest.

Gillett had seven players score in the contest. Along with DeBauch and VandeCorput scoring in double figures, Matczak finished with 11 points.

Marion went on a 6-0 run in a two-plus minute span to make it a 52-33 game with just under six minutes to play. After that, the Mustangs didn’t score again, with DeBauch going on a personal 6-0 run to help seal the contest.

Marion 15 18 — 33

Gillett 32 29 — 61

Gillett (61): Ben Matczak 1-2 11, Tyler Frank 1-2 3, Aydin Franti 1-2 6, Bradin Bjelland 3-4 3, Nathan Rowell 0-0 3, Austin VandeCorput 0-2 15, Jesse DeBauch 0-1 20.

Marion (33): Jack Van Kooy 3-6 3, Jaden Stuhr 1-2 7, Sam Gueths 0-0 3, Ryan Malueg 2-2 4, Parker Miller 1-4 16.

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