Bears win a pair against Reardan, Napavine

BREWSTER – The Bears varsity boys basketball team entered the Christmas holiday with wins over Reardan on Dec. 20 and Napavine, Dec. 23.

“We played a solid team at Reardan,” said head coach Michael Taylor. “Brewster and Reardan have a long history of good basketball, but for me, this was my first experience with them.”

Taylor complimented the quality of the Screaming Eagles’ gym and the caliber of their players.

“They have a good team with multiple guards who can score and some big guys down low,” said Taylor. “They run some really nice motion that flows out of their transition, and it is difficult to guard, especially when their guards are shooting well.”

The Bears shot well themselves and established the early lead.

“We got out to a great start and shot the ball at a high percentage rate,” said Taylor. “We kept the game at a fairly high pace throughout the first half and scored 55.”

Brewster gave up 35 points after two quarters but let Reardan whittle away at the lead through the third quarter.

“In the third quarter we did not match their level of play and shot the ball very poorly and only scored two points,” said Taylor. “We gave up 11 and they cut into our lead, but we finished with a solid fourth quarter to take the win.”

Kelson Gebbers had a double-double evening with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Tyson Schertenleib and Brady Wulf combined for 24 points.

Napavine withers, 66-50

The Bears hosted Napavine on Dec. 23, after the Tigers made a long trip to come up 16 points short.

“They played Davenport the night before us and had a tough loss to a good team,” said Taylor. “Napavine is always a tough team to play because they play hard, their players work together, and they communicate. All these things, regardless of talent, make them a good team to play.”

Junior James Grose kept the Tigers in the game scoring half the team’s 50 points.

“He can score in a variety of ways and plays well in their motion offense.” Taylor said of Grose. “We switched defenders on him throughout the game, to try and keep him uncomfortable. He still needed up with 25 points.”

Interestingly Kelson Gebbers did the same for the Bears hitting 33 of the team’s 66 points and pulling down 15 rebounds. Cort Gebbers had a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Schertenleib added 12 points.

Taylor said the Bears played and shot well for most of the game and put good pressure on Napavine’s defense from the perimeter.

“I think we missed chances to go inside or attack the basket, but that is part of getting better as a team.” Said Taylor. “We came out with a good win and were glad Napavine made the trip and returned safely.”

The Brewster girls lost their game, 52-36.