Adam Hinch Daily Press Gladstone senior Drake Johnson makes a play at the basket against Manistique on Feb. 5, 2024 at the Bonifas Gynasium at Manistique High School.

MANISTIQUE — A 13-0 run propelled the Gladstone boys basketball team to a 61-41 win over Manistique on Monday.

“It’s good to get this win, especially having three games this week,” Braves’ senior Kaden Gibbs said. “We wanted to get our confidence up and rolling for the games ahead.”

The Braves got the run started near the halfway mark of the second quarter. Nick Matthews drove to the basket for a layup and Drake Johnson followed it up with back-to-back baskets to give Gladstone a 24-17 lead. Owen Gereau earned a lay-in and Thomas Tackman hit a left-wing triple to give the Braves a 29-17 halftime lead.

“This has been our biggest problem all year,” Emeralds coach Cody Kangas said. “We start off well, then make a couple bad turnovers. Next thing you know (Gladstone’s) up 15 points, and we don’t play catch-up very well.”

Nick Matthews scored a layup to start the second half and the Braves led 31-17.

The Emeralds finally ended the 13-0 run with a jumper by Blake Mason. The Braves answered with a top of the key three by Gibbs for a 34-19 advantage

Emeralds senior Wyatt Demers hit a right wing three to keep them within 12 at 34-22.

The Braves answered with a 6-0 run as Nick Matthews hit a pull-up jumper. Johnson and Tackman earned layups to extend the Braves lead to 40-22.

The Emeralds responded with a mid-range jumper by Kyle Flodin who had eight points on the night. On the next Emeralds possession, senior Parker Graphos pulled up a nailed a right-wing three and drew the foul, but missed the free throw and the Braves lead was 40-27.

The Braves awnsered back with baskets by Gibbs and Johnson to take a 44-27 lead.

Demers closed out the third quarter with a three to cut the Braves lead to 14.

The Braves continued to bring the energy into the fourth quarter Gibbs scored the first six points of the quarter to give the Braves a 50-32 lead Gibbs finished with 14 points on the night.

Demers hit another three for the Emeralds but they were unable to close the gap as the Braves pulled away.

“We are working hard and preparing for districts,” Tackman said. “Every game is important, and we want to keep building on every game.”

The Braves have games three games this week, and after a week off Gladstone coach Jake Kiesby knew the team needed to be ready.

“We knew after having over a week off things would be a little slow to start,” he said. “We got things going in the second quarter with sharper passes and better shots and really got back to what we do.”

Gladstone 10 19 15 17 — 61

Manistique 9 8 13 11 — 41

Gladstone — Gereau 2, Bracket 2, Tackman 13, Gibbs 15, Matthews 10, Rexford 5, Johnson 14. FT: 4-5; F: 9; Fouled Out: None; 3-point field goals: Tackman 1, Gibbs 1, Rexford 1

Manistique — Mason 3, Graphos 8, Dougherty 2, Demers 14, Bellville 2, Flodin 8, Bergey 2, Bouche 2. FT: 1-5; F: 8; Fouled Out: None; 3-point field goals: Demers 4, Graphos 2, Flodin 2