GMG junior Jonas Buchanan (34) completes a slam dunk against the BCLUW Comets on Friday, Feb. 7, in Garwin. Off the bench, Buchanan marked a stellar night on the hardwood by leading both the offense and defense to help propel GMG to a 60-52 win over the Comets. PHOTO COURTESY OF GMG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT/FACEBOOK

GARWIN – Last Friday (Feb. 7), on an evening dedicated to celebrating senior winter athletes, the Green Mountain-Garwin (GMG) boys basketball team notched a solid, home court win 60-52 over BCLUW – a triumph that included a crowd-energizing dunk by Wolverine junior Jonas Buchanan.

While the Comets led 16-13 coming out of the first period, GMG took control for the rest of the game, leading 31-23 at the half and 51-42 following the third before closing out the game 60-52.

In addition to his stellar stuff, Buchanan led – off the bench – both the Wolverines’ offense and defense with 15 points and 11 rebounds, respectively.

Junior Rider Kupka added 14 points including a pair of 3-pointers plus three assists, senior Grady Dieleman had 12 points and three assists, senior Colin Teske had 11 points and two assists, sophomore Ethan Klemesrud had five points including a 3-pointer, and freshman Easton Sash sunk a 3-pointer. Sash also helped lead the Wolverine defense alongside Buchanan with six rebounds.

Wolverines defeat Clarksville in cross-divisional contest

GMG senior Grady Dieleman (10) seemingly flies through the air as he drives to the basket last against the BCLUW Comets last Friday, Feb. 7, at Garwin High School. Dieleman had a dozen points and three assists during the game which was part of GMG’s Senior Night celebrations. PHOTO COURTESY OF GMG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT/FACEBOOK

The win over BCLUW marked GMG’s second in a row; they quickly followed up the next day, Saturday, Feb. 8, with a third W by beating Clarksville 60-36 during the Iowa Star Challenge.

The Wolverines won the second half 33-15 to break open their six-point halftime lead.

Dieleman led GMG with 19 points, while Buchanan had 17 points and 11 rebounds. Klemesrud got 10 points, while Teske and Kupka scored seven points apiece.

Postseason play

Heading into the postseason, the Wolverines (9-13) are set to face Colo-NESCO (15-7) in a Class 1A District 10 substate first-round match on Monday, Feb. 17. Tipoff is 7 p.m. at a site yet to be determined as of press time. GMG is 0-2 against the Royals this season (66-57, 61-45). The winner of that game will play either Dunkerton or Belle Plaine in the second round on Feb. 20.

Wolverine Grady Dieleman (10) takes a jump shot against the Comets last Friday at Garwin High School. The game marked both Dieleman and teammate Colin Teske’s final home appearance as senior members of the team. PHOTO COURTESY OF GMG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT/FACEBOOK

Eight teams from each class advance to the 2025 IHSAA State Basketball Tournament March 10-14 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Senior Night

GMG’s matchup with BCLUW last Friday was the final home regular season game for both the boys and girls Wolverine netters. To mark the occasion, the district celebrated all five winter season senior athletes including:

-Grady Dieleman, boys basketball, captain

-Colin Teske, boys basketball, captain

PHOTO COURTESY OF GMG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT/FACEBOOK

-Olivia Maddux, girls basketball

-Jay Bru, boys wrestling

-Lexi Vazquez, cheer