Jody Norwood/Tribune-Courier || Stephen Atkinson denies Lyon County's Taylor Gray a rebound during the inaugural Gunner's Magic Train Classic.

Marshals drive 55 at Classic

Marshals defeat
Lyon 55-41,
Daviess 55-46

By Jody Norwood
Tribune-Courier Sports Editor
jnorwood@tribunecourier.com

DRAFFENVILLE– The first-ever Gunner’s Magic Train Classic was a successful night for host Marshall County. Hopefully, there was also as much success in spreading awareness about pediatric cancer.

The event, named in honor of Gunner Gillespie. Gillespie, the son of Marshals head coach Gus Gillespie and Janna Gillespie, was diagnosed with a diffused intrinsic pontine glioma in 2007 and lost his battle against the tumor last year at age 8.

The event drew three teams battling over two nights.

Daviess County entered the tournament 2-1 against the Arnold, Fla., Marlins. The Panthers remained close to the Marlins, but fell 61-58 in the Classic’s first match.

Host Marshall County played visiting Lyon County in the second game Friday night (see C7). The Lyons got as close as three off a 3-pointer by Bryant Houk to start the third quarter 38-25, but the Marshals used a balanced scoring attack and inside game to pull away for a 55-41 win.

The Lyons had entered the contest 3-0, their first time playing the Marshals since 2002.

The teams switched opponents for the second night with Lyon County falling to the Marlins 52-41. Lyon County opened the game with a 6-2 run, but couldn’t stop Tulane signee, 6’10” Nate Hicks inside the paint.

In the final game, Marshall County defeated Daviess County 55-46 (see C3).

The event helped raise $800 for the Gunner’s Magic Train Foundation.For more information on Gunner’s Magic Train Foundation, visit www.gunnersmagictrain.org or www.gunnergillespie.com.