Coming off one of their most successful seasons in recent memory, the Gilmour Academy boys varsity basketball team started their 2021-22 season on a bright note this past weekend.
The Lancers defeated Willoughby South High School 71-48 in their season opener Sunday evening. The game was part of the Great Lakes Classic event held at Cleveland Heights High School.
Gilmour was clicking on both ends of the floor as its success was the product of a highly efficient offense and a stingy defense.
The Lancers shot 29-for-51 (.569) from the floor, including a mark of 10-of-18 (.556) from downtown. GA shared the ball quite well as 21 of its 29 baskets were assisted.
Meanwhile Gilmour held the Rebels to just 39.3 percent shooting and did not concede a three-pointer all game as South missed all 10 of its attempts from distance.
After trailing briefly in the game's opening minutes, Gilmour held a slim lead for much of the first quarter and held a 19-14 advantage after one period.
The Lancers broke the game open in the second quarter, outscoring South 24-11 in the period to hold a 43-25 lead at the half. Gilmour held a double-digit lead throughout the entire second half and ended up comfortably claiming a win in its opener.
Ryan Mueller '22 was named as the Great Lakes Classic Game MVP after the contest for his impressive all-around performance. Mueller had a game-high 15 points on 7-for-12 shooting while adding five rebounds, six assists and two blocks.
Lucas Grover '22 and Brandon Rose '23 each tallied 12 points while Dorjan Flowers '23 added 10, giving Gilmour four players in double figures.
Grover's effort came on the back of a blistering 4-for-5 effort from three-point range. Rose filled up the stat sheet, adding three rebounds, three steals, three blocks and two assists. Flowers had a team-high six rebounds along with three assists and two steals.
Adisa Molton II '23 tallied nine points, on 4-of-6 shooting, along with a team-high seven assists and four rebounds.
Nathan Flaherty '22 added six points, two rebounds and two assists while Nathan Nootbaar '22 contributed seven points, five rebounds and an assist.
Gilmour outrebounded South 31-25 and held a 13-4 advantage in transition points.
The Lancers will return to action this Friday, Dec. 3, as they welcome Saint Ignatius High School in their home opener. The matchup will no doubt be a challenging one for Gilmour, as the Wildcats advanced to the OHSAA Division I State Final Four a season ago.
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