The Gibault boys basketball team poses with its regional plaque on Friday night. (submitted photo)
The third time was a charm for the Gibault boys basketball team.
Having lost twice previously to Metro East Lutheran, the Hawks were faced with the task of battling the Knights a third time this season in the final of the Class 1A Bunker Hill Regional on Friday night. Mission accomplished, as Gibault prevailed by a score of 42-38 to survive and advance.
The Hawks led 12-10 after the first quarter in tight defensive beginning. Led by senior Brian Deterding, Gibault went on a 9-0 run in the second quarter to go ahead 21-12 at one point.
But Metro East Lutheran battled back to tie it, and the two teams battled even pretty much the rest of the way. Gibault got the edge in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, with two clutch free throws by senior Jacob Rueter putting the Hawks up 41-38 with 30 seconds remaining. Gibault (22-9) held on from there to take the title.
Deterding led the way with 18 points, followed by Colin Kessler with 10 points.
The Hawks advanced to Friday’s final by virtue of a 62-51 win against Bunker Hill on Thursday.
Gibault actually trailed at halftime against the regional host, 22-21, but Trevor Davis and teammates took command in the third quarter, outscoring their opponent 25-11.
Davis scored 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds on the night. As a team, Gibault shot 58 percent from the floor.
The Hawks will play Carrollton in sectional play at White Hall on Tuesday.
Eagles, Bulldogs win
Columbia and Waterloo closed out their regular seasons with wins on Friday as both teams prepare for Class 3A regional play at Columbia High School next week.
The Eagles defeated Triad at home, 61-38, to claim their 20th victory on senior night. Columbia is undefeated at home as it gets set to host the regional on its home court.
Jonny Holmes scored 22 points, followed by younger brother Jordan Holmes with 10 points. Korbin Farmer added nine points and 13 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Waterloo snapped a long losing streak by winning at Civic Memorial, 61-60. The Bulldogs shot 54 percent from the floor in the upset victory.
Ben Huels scored 18 points, followed by Ross Schrader with 16, Griffin Lenhardt with 11 and Dylan Hunt with 10 points, respectively.
Waterloo (7-21) topped Freeburg on Monday to begin regional play and will take on Columbia on Tuesday night.
Other teams in the regional are Mater Dei and Cahokia. The regional final will be played Friday night, March 4.
Corey is the editor of the Republic-Times. He has worked at the newspaper since 2004, and currently resides in Columbia. He is also the principal singer-songwriter and plays guitar in St. Louis area country-rock band The Trophy Mules.
