It was as they predicted, both coaches said. A scrappy, back-and-forth, heavy defensive game between the Waterloo (4-2) and Gibault (6-1) High School boys basketball teams.

Bulldog coach C.J. Cruser predicted in this week’s Republic-Times newspaper that the game would be in the 40’s. Unfortunately for him and his team, it would only be Gibault who would reach that mark, winning 40-37 on the Bulldogs home court.

Gibault went into the locker room at halftime only up by two points, but Gibault’s Matt Schreder came out hot and hit three baskets in a row putting the Hawks up 25-19. But Waterloo held Gibault the rest of the quarter, coming back and tying the game up 28-28 going into the fourth quarter.

It would be a key steal by Gibault’s Brendan McFarland with a bucket to follow, that would decide the game. Combine that with a couple of forced Waterloo fouls and the subsequent free throws for the Hawks in the final seconds of the game to lead Gibault to the marginal victory.

Look in the Dec. 19 edition of the Republic-Times for coach and player reaction and stats on the game. And be sure to stay tuned for a video of the game.

To view and purchase photos from the game, click here.