PETE HERBECK of New Ulm Cathedral pops one over Gibbon defender Jon Wylie (23) in Cathedral’s 55-54 District 14A basketball win over Gibbon Friday. Jerry Eichten (54) of Cathedral is beneath the basket. (Photo by Dan Seifert)

WINTHROP – The Gibbon Wildcats made a miraculous comeback in the final quarter, but some clutch free throw shooting by New Ulm Cathedral in the waning seconds saved the victory for the Greyhounds by a score of 55-54.

Cathedral, a newcomer into the realigned District 14 tournament, advances to the semifinals at Gustavus Thursday against number one ranked Mankato Wilson, a 64-51winner over Gaylord.

Gibbon rattled off 12 straight points in the fourth period to erase the Hounds’ 48-36 margin after three periods to tie the score 48-48.

Cathedral scored its first points of the final period with 1:24 remaining on a 15 foot jumpshot by Dany Pechtel, the game’s leading sorer with 20 points.

WITH THE SCORE tied a 50-50, the Wildcats committed three costly fouls in the final minute of pay. Pete Herbeck and Pechtel each netted a pair of needed free throws while Terry O’Kane added one o give the Hounds a 55-50 advantage with 22seconds left to play, enough to assure a victory.

Greyhound coach Joe Brunner was more than pleased with his team’s efforts.

“That was beautiful. W: played a nice disciplined game,’ Brunner admitted concern when the Hounds faltered during the fourth quarter when Gibbon applied an effective 1-3-1 half-court press. “I said to myself, this couldn’t be happening to me.But We stuck in there. We took out time with that press,” he said.

Gibbon coach Gary Phillips was very disappointed over the play of hs Wildcats and gave credit to Cathedral’s fine performance.

“THIS IS PROBABLY our worst game all year. They beat us fair and square,” he said.

A major factor in the victory was shooting percentages. The Hounds sunk 50 per cent from the field, many from the outside by Greg Weier, Pechtel and Herbeck.

Meanwhile, Gibbon shot 43 per cent.

The Wildcats worked the ball inside well to its big men, 6-4 Glen Melmer and 6-2 Jeff Wise, but many shots rolled off the rim.

“THEY WEREN’T hitting. We were fortunate they were cold,”commented Brunner, who had his team using a sagging 2-3 offense.

The Hounds got off to a big start in the first period, canning 10 of 12 field goal attempts and four off our free throws, to take a 24-19 lead.

While Cathedral cooled off in the second quarter, Gibbon rallied back behind balanced scoring to gain a 32-30 halftime lead. The Hounds stalled the final 80 seconds of play in the second period but missed the one shot to tie the game.

Cathedral stuck it to Gibbon in the third period, outscoring the Wildcats 18-4, for a 48-34 lead.

FROM THERE, the Wildcats played inspired basketball to tie the game. Helping the Wildcat cause, was the fouling out of Cathedral’s main ball handler, Greg Weier. Without Weier, the Hounds en-countered problems bringing the ball up court into the 1-3-1 press. The press caused turnovers, but the Wildcats were unable to score on the opportunities.

Gibbon had a very balanced scoring attack with Jon Wylie and burly Dan Barfkenecht with 12points apiece, and Jeff Wise and Glen Melmer with 11 each.

The hot hands for the Hounds were Pechtel with 20 and Herbeck with 18. Jerry Eichten, 6-4 senior, had an outstanding game on the boards for the Hounds.

Cathedral committed 17 floor mistakes, while Gibbon had 13.

New Ulm Daily Journal

Feb. 29, 1976