Gutzman fuels Gallatin past Glacier boys

Brothers Asher and Carter Knopik combined for 34 points, but Gallatin’s Bobby Gutzman delivered the decisive stretch, scoring 11 of his game-high 23 points in the third quarter to lift the Raptors past Glacier in a non-conference AA boys basketball matchup Saturday afternoon.

Gallatin’s Ethan Waldo chipped in 14 points, while Austin Bishop added 11, including a pair of 3-pointers. Brett Sonju scored nine points on three shots from beyond the arc, as Gallatin finished with eight triples. 

Carter Knopik led the Wolfpack in scoring with 19 points and finished 6-10 from the line.  Asher Knopik, added 15, while Dylan Banzet contributed eight and knocked down two threes. The Wolfpack connected on seven shots from long range and made 12-of-19 free throws 

Gallatin carried a 19-17 lead after one quarter and took a six-point advantage into halftime, 33-27. Glacier made a late push with a 22-point fourth quarter, but Waldo knocked down 8-of-9 shots from the free throw line to eliminate any Wolfpack hopes of a comeback. 

The Wolfpack now enter the holiday break and will return to action at 3 p.m. on Jan. 3 against Belgrade at the Wolf Den. 

Gallatin    19    14    22    16    —    71 

Glacier    17    10    15    22    —    64

GALLATIN — Ethan Waldo 2 8-9 14, Brett Sonju 3 0-0 9, Joey Padilla 0 0-0 0, Bobby Gutzman 11 0-0 23, Zach Lockwood 2 1-2 5, Austin Bishop 4 1-1 11, Sam Litzen 1 0-0 2, Matthew Phillips 0 0-0 0, Wyatt Ford 1 1-1 3, Aidden Brown 2 0-0 4. Totals 26 11-13 71. 

GLACIER — Cooper Pelc 2 0-2 4, Ethan Kastelitz 2 2-2 7, Tate Kahler 2 1-1 5, Hudson Kastelitz 1 1-2 4, Talis Pitts 1 0-0 2, Blake Pittman 0 0-0 0, Dylan Banzet 3 0-0 8, Asher Knopik 6 2-2 15, Carter Knopik 5 6-10 19. Totals 22 12-19 64. 

3-point goals — Gallatin 8 (Sonju 3, Waldo 2, Bishop 2, Gutzman). Glacier 7 (C. Knopik 3, Banzet 2, A. Knopik, Kastelitz) Fouls — Gallatin 12, Glacier 14. Fouled out — None.