Brunswick Over Comes The Gophers At Marceline Sectional
By David Sharp
A talent laden Brunswick Wildcat basketball team opened up a three point contest with a 19-7 second quarter run, ending District Champion Green City’s playoff run with a 65-46 victory at the March 3, 2026 Marceline Class 1 Boys Sectional.
Seniors Orion Navis, Jake Crist and Ivan Littrell played their final basketball games for the Gophers.
Brunswick (27-3) jumped out to a 17-14 first quarter lead. The Wildcats pressured Green City into costly turnovers. Brunswick ran the court, building a 36-21 halftime lead.
The Gophers played an inspired second half, keeping the final score respectable.
Balston Brown poured in a game high 29 Brunswick points from the post. Clayton Hayward fired in 14 points. Guard Drew Jackson was the third Wildcat in double figures with ten points.
Brunswick plays Kingsville on March 13, 2026 at the boys Class 1 Basketball Championships semifinal game at the Mizzou Arena on the campus of the University of Missouri at Columbia.
“We worked our (tails) off,” Green City coach Matt Ayers said. “We gave ourselves a chance in the fourth quarter. We had too many turnovers. It had nothing to do with heart or work ethic.”
“Ivan Littrell is one of the finest human beings you will ever come across,” Coach Ayers said talking about the Green City boys seniors. “Orion Navis gave me everything his senior year. I will always be loyal and indebted to him.”
“Jake Crist is another really good human being. They are going to be missed. They are going to be missed across the community and across the school,” Matt Ayers said. They just do so much.”
Clancy Ballinger converted a three point play with 6:58 remaining in the third quarter for a 40-29 Wildcat lead. Orion Navis scored with 2:50 to play in the third period for a 44-33 Brunswick lead.
Brunswick missed scoring opportunities and Green City rebounds helped contain the rising Wildcat tide. The third quarter was even on the scoreboard for a 50-35 Brunswick lead.
Ivan Littrell made a three point play for a 50-38 score just inside the fourth quarter.
Green City made plays and rebounded for a 53- 40 tally with 5:30 to play in the game.
Brunswick popped off a 10-4 run to a 63-44 lead with 2:21 remaining. Balston Brown answered an Ivan Littrell basket with a slam dunk on the other end.
Orion Navis scored on a putback for a 65-46 score with 90 seconds remaining in Green City’s season. The Wildcats advanced with a 65-46 final score.
Ivan Littrell and Clancy Ballinger led Green City with 15 points each. Orion Navis scored 13 points. Zane Patterson added three Gopher points.
Brunswick scored 22 field goals to 17 for Green City. The Wildcats fired in four three pointers to one for Green City. The Gophers sank nine of 18 from the free throw line.
Brunswick put in seven of 18 from the stripe.
