Gibsonburg Edges Old Fort in OT Classic, 56–52

OLD FORT — With league positioning and tournament seeding on the line, Gibsonburg and Old Fort delivered a bruising, back‑and‑forth battle Friday night that needed overtime to decide. Gibsonburg escaped with a 56–52 road win, snapping a long league skid and shaking up the top of the standings.

The first half was a grind, played at a deliberate tempo as both teams traded possessions and limited clean looks. Old Fort took advantage of just enough Gibsonburg miscues to carry a slim lead into the locker room, forcing the visitors to reset. “They did a good job early getting us out of rhythm,” Gibsonburg head coach said. “Their length and athleticism bothered us, but defensively we made adjustments and played more disciplined in the second half.”

Old Fort stayed in front well into the third quarter, nudging the margin to 37–31 before Gibsonburg answered with tougher defense and timely scoring to keep things tight. The fourth quarter turned into a slugfest, defined by turnovers, full‑court pressure and momentum swings nearly every trip down the floor. A key Gibsonburg 3‑pointer midway through the period briefly flipped the lead, only for Old Fort to respond and force a 47–47 tie at the end of regulation after both teams missed chances in the closing seconds.

In overtime, Gibsonburg’s edge in the hustle stats proved decisive. “We knew it was going to come down to loose balls and rebounds,” Gibsonburg’s Reece Walby said. “Those little plays are what win games like this.” Gibsonburg opened the extra frame by cashing in free throws and second‑chance opportunities, while Old Fort struggled at the stripe. Walby’s work on the glass and at the line helped build a narrow cushion that Old Fort couldn’t erase.

Old Fort’s head coach praised Gibsonburg’s effort but pointed to critical breakdowns late. “Walby took over the game,” he said. “He got every big rebound, every loose ball. We defended well enough to win, but we didn’t finish plays when it mattered.” Gibsonburg sealed the victory with more free throws in the closing seconds, walking out of Old Fort with a hard‑earned overtime win and valuable momentum as the league race tightens. “It was just a great high school basketball game,” the Gibsonburg coach said. “Two teams competing, battling, and our guys made one more play when it mattered.”