The Gladbrook-Reinbeck Rebels made it a perfect 4-0 against conference opponents BCLUW last Friday night as both the boys and girls varsity teams earned their second wins of the season over the Comets.

The G-R girls battled back from a 12-7 first quarter deficit to win out the remaining three quarters and ultimately the game by a score of 35-27.

The Rebels have now won three of the last four encounters with BCLUW after breaking an 11-game losing streak in 2020 that dated back to 2016.

The Rebels will close out their regular season Friday in a home game against No. 9 Grundy Center.

Boys rebound against BCLUW

Following a disappointing loss to 2A No. 7 Aplington-Parkersburg on Jan. 25, the 1A No. 6 Gladbrook-Reinbeck Rebels needed a palate cleanser.

Last Tuesday the Falcons handed G-R their first loss (73-54) in a game that was never really within reach. A-P’s defense forced the Rebels into 13 turnovers, held their top scorers to each under 20 points, kept junior William Kiburis off the free throw line and managed to outsoot the team from three, nine buckets to two.

On Friday the Rebels got an opportunity to work out some frustrations against a one-win BCLUW team and came away with a 79-21 win, their biggest margin of victory of the season.

Four Rebels scored in double-digits as G-R opened a 22-4 lead in the first quarter that never relented.

Kiburis was leading scorer for G-R, nearly taking home a triple-double with 17 points, nine assists and nine rebounds.

Junior sniper Caleb Egesdal reconnected with his three-point shot, making 4-of-7 after being held to 1-of-6 shooting from long range against the Falcons on Tuesday.

Egesdal ended the game with 14 points as did fellow guard Luke Riffey.

Riffey shot 60 percent from the field and also contributed a team-high six steals on the defensive end.

Down low Tristen Sanford-Anders had a well-rounded night with 11 points, eight blocks and six rebounds.

Seven Rebels got floor-time off the bench in the blowout with Drew Eilers putting in seven points and six rebounds and transfer guard Austin Vaverka contributing five points to help lead the second-string offense.

The Rebels will stay busy with a competitive schedule to close out the regular season. On Friday G-R hosts NICL West second place team Grundy Center for their conference rematch.

On Tuesday the team will travel to Dike-New Hartford to face a 6-11 Wolverines team that despite being under .500, holds wins over Hudson, Union and close contests against Wapsie Valley and Grundy Center. The Rebels close out the regular season on the road at Meskwaki (2-13) next Friday.

The Class 1A playoffs are scheduled to begin on Monday, Feb. 14. Playoff brackets have yet to be released however the Rebels have been informed of the pool of teams they could see in district and substate action.

The two district champions will compete in the 1A Substate Championship game which will determine which team qualifies for the state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

District 7 Teams

Alburnett (13-4)

Belle Plaine (10-7)

Cedar Valley Christian (10-8)

Central City (4-14)

Don Bosco Catholic (5-13)

No. 6 Gladbrook-Reinbeck (16-1)

H-L-V, Victor (2-14)

Hudson (6-11)

Meskwaki Settlement (2-13)

District 8 Teams

Bellevue (8-9)

Calamus-Wheatland (3-14)

No. 8 Easton Valley (15-2)

Lisbon (15-3)

Marquette Catholic (10-9)

Midland, Wyoming (4-13)

North Cedar (2-15)

Prince of Peace (3-14)

Springville (14-3)