Boys' Basketball
From The Cumberland Advocate
Gavin Gores Named to WBCA D4 All-State Team
Cumberland Senior Gavin Gores has been named as one of ten players to the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association D4 All-State Team. He was also a member of the team last year.
The Wyoming recruit had an incredible season averaging 34.1 points, 14.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game for the Beavers and helping lead them to a Conference Title and a Sectional Final where they lost to eventual Division 4 State Champion Aquinas.
For his career, the Cumberland Senior played in 103 varsity games, where he scored an amazing 2,360 points, grabbed 1,108 rebounds, dished out 174 assists, and had 119 blocked shots. His 920 points this season tied for the 13th highest scoring season in Wisconsin history, while the 2,360 career points lands him inside the top 20 all-time.
Coach Brian Dutton had this to say about Gores, "I’ve had the pleasure of coaching Gavin the last two years. What has enabled him have such a great career is his work ethic. He’s always been a talented young man, but the last two years I have noticed a burning desire in Gavin to be the best he can be. It’s kind of a cliche, but Gavin is the first in the gym and the last to leave every day. That drive is going to serve him well in the years ahead.”
Gores, one of six finalist for State Player of the Year, received yet another honor when he was named Wisconsin’s Senior Post Player of the Year by Wisconsin Sports Network.
Boys Basketball Season Ends in Sectional Finals
The Cumberland Boys Basketball Team’s outstanding season came to an end last Saturday night in Eau Claire, when the Beavers dropped a 69-56 decision to the La Crosse Aquinas Bluegolds in the Sectional Finals. The Beavers finish the 2024-2025 with a final record of 21 and 6.
“The boys had an excellent season and came up short against a very good and experienced team in Aquinas. I’m very proud of the efforts they the put in to get one win away from going to State,” said Head Coach Brian Dutton.
The team opened up Sectional play last Thursday with a 64-59 semifinal victory over Conference foe, Ladysmith. A large Cumberland contingent attended the contest for which Coach Dutton said, “We had great fan support the last few weeks of the conference run and playoffs and their support has been greatly appreciated.”
The Beavers came out on fire and established a 38-19 lead against the Lumberjacks by halftime. Ladysmith came roaring back in the second half to outscore the Beavers 40-26, but it was too little too late.
The Beavers received 33 points from Gavin Gores in the contest, while Chayden Berghammer had an excellent game with 22 points on six of eight from behind the arc. Gores added a game-high 18 rebounds, while Uriah Johnson added six assists. The Beavers only made 9 of 18 free throws, but shot 56 percent from the floor in the game.
This set up a showdown with Aquinas, who came into the contest with a record of 23 and 3 as Champions of the Mississippi Conference. They defeated Onalaska Luther 67-49 in the semifinals.
Aquinas had good size in the back line with three starters over 6’3 coming into the match-up, each averaging over 12 points per game. Their size and emphasis on stopping Gavin Gores helped hold the Beavers outstanding forward to 13 points and six points, his lowest totals of the year. The end result was a great effort, but left Cumberland short of winning the contest, ending their season.
Senior Uriah Johnson ended his career with a team-high 14 points, while Junior Troy Majewski added 12 points and six assists. Seniors Chayden Berghammer and Jack Richter added nine and six points respectively.
Aquinas shot the ball with efficiency, hitting nine of 20 three-point attempts and 12 of 14 free throws. They will be a handful for any team they run into in Madison.
Despite the loss, it was an outstanding season for the Beavers and their fine group of seniors and underclassmen. Their achievements this season leaves them with a HON Title, a Regional Championship, and a Sectional runner-up.
Coach Brian Dutton also thanked his two assistants, Ryan Zemke and Eric Butzler by saying, “yan and Eric deserve a lot of credit helping coach the boys and we wouldn’t have had the season we had without their efforts.”
It was a season everyone will remember as we head towards spring.
Further Honors Greet Boy’s Basketball Team
The Cumberland Basketball Team received further honors last week as the Beavers were named D4 Academic All-State and two team members received All-Conference honors.
For Academic All-State, team GPA's are weighted and based on cumulative credits attempted by the top ten varsity players on each team, three schools receive recognition in each division. In D4, the Beavers (3.834) joined Oconto (3.895) and Stratford (3.836) as state honorees.
Added to this was the naming of Seniors Gavin Gores and Chayden Berghammer to HON All-Conference Team. Gores was named First Team and Berghammer Honorable Mention.
Gores was an easy First Team selection as well as the Conference Player of the Year. Averaging 34.9 points and 14.3 rebounds a game, he is one of six-finalist for the State’s Player of the Year.
Gores had a tremendous career for the Beavers joining a select group of players in state history to score over 2000 points during his four years of high school. He will move on to Wyoming as one of the very best to put on a Cumberland uniform.
Berghammer, meanwhile, averaged 11.5 points and 3.5 assists a game this winter. He was an excellent outside shooter and key performer and contributor for Coach Dutton and the Beavers success.
“These awards help tell the story of what a great season this year was,” concluded Dutton.
Assistant Coaches:
Ryan Zemke