Gurske’s 37 powers Timberline past Kelso in district semifinal: “his best performance as a Blazer”

For much of the second half, there was no stopping Miles Gurske.

He simply could not miss.

With 18 points in the first half -- and 19 more in the second -- Timberline’s junior guard exploded for 37 and led the Blazers to a 67-57 win over Kelso at Auburn High School. Blazers coach Allen Thomas declared the performance the best of Gurske’s career.

Even the occasional, long-range “heat check” couldn’t stop him, and it took an ankle injury with two minutes left in the contest to halt his production.

“It was open looks by my teammates, actually,” Gurske told The News Tribune. “Just driving and kicking, finding me open in corners and wings. (They were) good plays, and I happened to catch fire. Good finds by teammates.

“I just had to throw some up.”

Timberline entered their district tournament as the top seed, and on Thursday night, proved why. With Gurske’s 37 -- and 21 more from Darell Gipson -- Timberline led by double-digits after the first quarter. They led at halftime by 13, and despite a third-quarter Kelso surge, held on for a victory in the District 3/4 3A semifinals.

They’re penciled in for Saturday’s district title game, and win or lose, have already booked their ticket to the 3A state tournament.

“It means everything,” Thomas said. “From where we started to where we’re at right now, I couldn’t ask for more. These guys are bought in, they’re all in for each other, and what a great performance today on the road.”

What set apart the Blazers from the tip was their defense, and Gipson’s ability to alter shots inside. Kelso, which failed to find open looks, stalled with just six first-quarter points. Gipson, meanwhile, had 10 in the opening minutes, and worked not only to minimize Kelso’s point total, but maximize his own.

“We really wanted to attack their big guy,” Thomas said of Kelso’s Michael Foust, who led the Hilanders with 22. “We scouted him all week. We just wanted to put pressure on him throughout the game, and Darell did a great job all game. I don’t think he subbed out one time. He’s been steady on the glass all year long.”

For a first quarter that featured no attempted free throws and no made three-pointers, Timberline’s physicality made Hilander points tough to find early on. And by halftime, Gurske had ignited the Blazer offense with 18 points in the first half, a game-high.

When Timberline took a second-quarter timeout with a 20-6 lead, Gipson had taken control of this game on his own. He’d finish the half with 13.

Only four Blazers scored throughout the entire contest: Gurske’s 37, Gipson’s 21, six from guard Brooklyn Hicks, and three from Ahren Bee-Richards.

Less than a minute into the third quarter, Hicks went down with a tweaked ankle, and resumed play shortly thereafter. Gurske, with two minutes remaining in the fourth, landed on an opponent’s foot and required help off of the court.

After the win, Thomas told The News Tribune they’re hoping that Gurske avoided a high-ankle sprain, though it’s looking to be just that. Gurske will ice, elevate, and hope to return by the time Timberline takes the court at state in the coming weeks.

“Right now, it’s just throbbing,” Gurske said. “I think it’s a minor tweak or roll, just landing on someone’s foot. But I should be fine.”

Kelso’s Ethan Mitchell added 16, Tyler Hays scored 10 for the Hilanders.

Following Timberline’s win, Auburn and Mount Tahoma tipped off in the bracket’s other semifinal — the winner gets the Blazers for the district title.

Gurske admits it’ll be a tough matchup regardless of winner, though defense will be the key, he said.

Thomas, when recapping Gurske’s night, paused. A second or two later, he said: “That was his best performance as a Blazer. Any time we needed a shot, he took it and he made it.

“He showed why he’s one of the best players, not just in our league, but in the state.”

BOX SCORE

K: 6-16-16-19--57

T: 16-19-12-20--67

Scoring: (T) Miles Gurske 37, Darell Gipson 21; (K) Michael Foust 22, Ethan Mitchell 16

This story was originally published February 17, 2022 at 8:18 PM.