Gibsonburg clinches share of SBC crown

SANDUSKY — Before the first quarter was over on Thursday night, it was clear that Gibsonburg was going to make history.

A 62-20 girls basketball victory over Sandusky St. Mary Central Catholic clinched the Golden Bears’ second conference title in school history — and its first since 1976.

But the girls on the court had a different goal in mind, one that took most of four quarters to complete.

By the end of the night, every player on the roster could say they scored in the win that clinched at least a share of the Sandusky Bay Conference River Division championship.

“They’re all in it for each other,” Gibsonburg coach Bo Evarts said. “Once you have that and you’re athletic and you’re talented, that’s just makes it a special group that can do special things.”

The Golden Bears (19-1, 16-0), ranked No. 6 in Division IV, can claim the outright title on Saturday at Woodmore.

‘The level of excitement and interest in the program is palpable, and a far cry from what this year’s seniors entered into three years ago.

“I went from a two-win season to winning the league, and it’s just a big change,” Jazmyne Morant said. “You can just tell why it’s changed and how we’ve gotten here because the whole team works so hard and I feel like nobody deserves it more than us.”

The victories have reverberated far beyond the walls of their school building, re-forging bonds that had grown dormant over nearly five decades.

Four members of the 1976 squad that won a share of the Suburban Lakes League were at practice on Monday to share memories and encouragement.

“They’ve reconnected because of us,” Evarts said. “Two of them hadn’t seen each other in 40-some years, which is an awesome story.”

Lou Reinbolt Kuhlman, Pat Diekman Eckleberry, Donna Diekman Walker, and Beth Michael Schlea plan to be at the Woodmore game. Evarts said they have an invitation to speak to the girls in the locker room before tip-off.

“It was so fun to get to know them and see the similarities and differences of then and now,” Morant said. “They’re just so excited about us winning a league title.”

It’s taken a youth movement to break the generational drought. Two of the Golden Bears’ leaders are its youngest players in freshman Elly Evarts and sophomore Leah Hall. The duo combined for 31 points on Thursday.

Evarts is averaging more than 20 points per game, playing for her father in a scenario she’s been preparing for her whole life.

If her name sounds familiar, it’s because Evarts has been on the national stage several times winning the Punt, Pass, and Kick football competition at 7 years old and twice making it to the finals of the Pitch, Hit, and Run in baseball. In middle school, her basketball teams didn’t lose once.

Evarts had 29 points and eight assists in her varsity debut this fall, and hasn’t looked back.

“I’ve obviously had to deal with pressure and stuff and I think I’ve executed most of the time,” Evarts said. “I’m not really worried about nerves anymore, I just go out and play my game.”

For her father, in his fifth season leading the Gibsonburg program, it’s all about soaking in these moments.

“It is very special. I keep hearing from a lot of people that it goes by quick,” Bo Evarts said. “It’s hard to believe it’s almost the end of the first year. It’s been a fun ride so far.”

At this rate, the Golden Bears’ ride might be just beginning. The program has never won a district title, but this group isn’t shy about chasing history.

“We’re trying to win the district and go from there,” Elly Evarts said. “Obviously, our biggest goal would be winning state, but we’re just gonna try to take a piece at a time.”