Gelow scores 25 first-half points, Gaylord runs away from Hillman

GAYLORD ― The Gaylord boys basketball team entered Tuesday evening trying to shake off a slow start to their 2023-24 season, starting 0-3 in three straight road games to start the year.

While the team has started slow, senior Luke Gelow has been off and running since game one.

Gelow was dominant in the team's season opener at Traverse City West, scoring 29 points in a 67-55 loss to the Titans. He was just as explosive during the team's home opener on Tuesday, scoring 25 first-half points in a 72-35 win over Hillman.

Here are the key takeaways from Gaylord's first win of the year:

Gelow is a living highlight reel

Basketball can be pretty straightforward sometimes; as much as the 3-point line has changed the game, it is still pretty easy to score when you are the tallest player on the floor. So, for a 6 foot 5 inch kid that is more athletic than most of his opponents, it seems pretty inevitable that Luke Gelow is going to score in buckets every time he hits the floor.

For Gelow, it's not just the point total he turns in, it's the way he gets there.

Gelow was a human highlight reel during the first half of Tuesday's win, scoring 25 points in every way possible in the opening two quarters; contested 3-pointers, hard-fought buckets at the rim and athletic alley-oop dunks.

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He finished with 28 points after sitting most of the second half, but his one-man show was enough to keep the packed crowd entertained throughout a blowout win.

Locker's shooting gives offense an extra boost

Despite his star potential, scheming up looks for Gelow really isn't the focus for Gaylord's offense; he will get his looks regardless.

Rather, the key for the Blue Devils and head coach Zach Napont is to find ways to keep his supporting cast involved. If Gelow can get the help he needs in Big North Conference games, Gaylord could be competitive in a league that has beaten them up in recent years.

Senior Aidian Locker is one of those who can push this offense to the next level.

His sharpshooting has always been a weapon for Gaylord, but at times he can struggle to find open looks. That was not the case Tuesday; he hit five 3-pointers in the first half alone, finishing with 15 points when the game wrapped.

It will take performances like that from players like Locker, Torino Lamerato and others around Gelow to bring Gaylord into a competitive spot in the BNC.

Key stretch upcoming before winter break

Gaylord (1-3) now enters an important stretch of three games before schools break for the holidays. First, Gaylord goes back on the road for back-to-back games, first traveling to Alpena on Friday, Dec. 15 and then to Elk Rapids on Tuesday, Dec. 19. Then, Gaylord hosts Traverse City Central on Dec. 21, the team's final game before the holiday break.

The Blue Devils immediately return to a rivalry matchup against Petoskey on Jan. 5, so building momentum through these next three games will be critical for a team looking to get back above .500.

Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Gelow scores 25 first-half points, Gaylord basketball runs away from Hillman