Ishpeming’s Gavin Argall (20) performs a layup through Gladstone defenders Cam Ballard (24) and Michael Hagebusch (42) as teammate Jacob Kugler (44) looks on Tuesday at Gladstone. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Justin St. Ours)

GLADSTONE — After a raucous first half, the Gladstone boys’ basketball team held on to earn a 65-53 season-opening win against the Ishpeming Hematites here Tuesday.

After a half dominated by Gladstone’s defense, the Braves led 27-14 entering the third quarter of this Mid-Peninsula Conference game.

“We had to clean up some turnover issues,” Hematites’ coach George Niemi said. “There were also some positioning issues, but once we did that — and once we got comfortable — we were able to make a move.

“I liked the grit that we played with, and I liked some of the things that we did out there.”

The Braves came out quickly in the second half, as Cam Ballard scored on their first possession and sunk two free throws just 24 seconds later to put Gladstone ahead 31-14.

The Hematites found some footing at the 6:06 mark, as Breck Bell kicked off an 8-2 run with a layup off an offensive rebound.

Gladstone’s Caden Alworden answered with two points to begin the start of a 19-8 run that gave the Braves a 49-30 cushion with 30 ticks seconds left in the quarter.

As the quarter ticked down, Bell and Jayce Kipling hit triples to reduce the Hematites’ deficit to 49-36.

Ishpeming got as close as 12 points in the fourth.

“(Getting a win) in the first game of the season is always important,” Braves coach Dane Quigley said. “I think the biggest thing for a team is that confidence. Now they can come out from tonight confident, knowing that they can execute for 32 minutes against an opponent.”

Both teams took a bit of time to get rolling in the first, with neither team being able to score until two minutes were elapsed.

Ballard put the Braves on the board with two free throws with 5:52 left in what would become a trend for Gladstone, which finished 19 for 24 from the line.

“In practice, we always make sure we’re shooting our free throws tired,” Quigley said. “I always put something on the line when they shoot free throws — whether it be running or something else — so there’s something on the line and they get used to that situation.”

A quick pace helped Gladstone’s defense limit the Hematites to four points in the first quarter.

The second quarter was more of the same, as the Braves outscored Ishpeming 15-10.

“This was the game plan that we put together,” Quigley said. “I think the biggest takeaway for tonight was our defensive effort, particularly in the first half. I think our guys did a tremendous job. We also had great rim protection, and I was very proud of them.”

Niemi believes the experience will be valuable.

“This is a learning experience,” he said. “We want to come in and win every ball game, but at the end of the day, I liked what we saw. We can do some good things this year.”

Rane Castor led the Braves with 16 points and six rebounds. Ballard followed with 15 points, six rebounds and 7 of 8 shooting from the charity stripe. Michael Hagebusch collected 11 points and Alworden finished with 10.

Bell led the Hematites with 19 points, and Kipling followed with 11 points and two triples.

Gladstone, which won the JV game, hosts Manistique Friday. Ishpeming hosts Westwood Friday.