Gibler's 20 Helps Cincinnati St. Xavier Blow Out Kettering Alter 69-47

[SFIND]

By Bryant Billing

KETTERING- Things are bad for the home team when the loudest applause of the night comes from a Grease skit at halftime. The St. Xavier Bombers came out and did what they do best. They played the typical GCL slow-down and dominated the boards and never let Alter see the surface as they stomped the Knights 69-47.

This game was all St. Xavier, from tip-off until final buzzer.

St. Xavier came out on fire and shut down the Knight offense. Alter was unable to shoot more than one time per possession because Walt Gibler and company grabbed all rebounds that came their way. The Bombers had a 12-4 lead with 4:06 left, and maintained a large 16-6 lead at the end of one quarter.

Walt Gibler put the Bombers up 24-10 with a basket with 5:02 left. Brian Dougherty closed out the scoring in the first half for both teams with a basket with thirty seconds left. That cut Xavier's lead to 29-14.

St. Xavier eased up in the third quarter and was less aggressive on offensive rebounds, but they still won the quarter 15-14.

Both teams coasted through the fourth quarter and gave their benches some time, but St. Xavier still won big with a final of 69-47.

This was typical St. Xavier basketball. Kept it at their slow pace (without too much complaining from a slow-style GCL foe) and dominated the boards in the first half. St. Xavier only won the rebounding battle 23-17, but don't let that stat fool you. St. Xavier got most of their rebounds in the first half, while Alter got most of their rebounds in the second. Both teams had great control. Alter shot 49% from the field while the Bombers shot 47% from the field. Both teams were able to handle the ball, as St. Xavier turned the ball over nine times and Alter turned it over eleven times.

Walt Gibler had a terrific game for the Bombers, with 20 points and 9 rebounds. No Knight on the floor was able to stop him. They could contain him at times, but he went through little scoring streaks that killed Alter. Gibler's shot was too good. He has a nice, timely release and great pumping action. He easily contained Alter's big guy in Ryan Siggins. Brad Loesing had a down night for the Bombers with only 12 points (nine from the free-throw line). This was just a battle of the inside. Jamarre White was the one person who had some success driving into the lane against St. Xavier. He was able to score some baskets. Brian Doughtery was able to penetrate, too. The two combined for 24 points.

Alter now travels to Cincinnati LaSalle next Friday, 01/18, for a 7:30 tip-off before playing in the Flyin' To The Hoop Tournament at Kettering Fairmont's Trent Arena that Sunday.

Here's Some Stats: Individual: St. Xavier- Player, Two point shots made/attempted, Total points. Will Keirle 0-0 2; Eric Stenger 2-2 4; Ryan Shiverdecker 0-0 4; Nate Bowman 0-0 3; Ross Morand 0-0 3; Walt Gibler 6-11 20; Brad Loesing 3-9 12; Danny Whelan 0-0 2; Tom Williams 2-5 10; Steve Stefanou 3-5 9. Alter- Tony Boyle 1-1 5; Brian Dougherty 3-7 9; Jamarre White 6-14 15; Ryan Siggins 4-5 11; Mike Joesph 3-3 9; Trevor Heitz 1-3 2. Team: 2 point, 3 point, free-throw, turnovers, rebounds. St. Xavier- 16-34 (47%), 6-12 (50%), 19-26 (73%), 9, 23. Alter- 18-37 (49%), 2-11 (18%), 5-9 (56%), 11, 17.