Norse sign two local basketball players for revamped team

GLADSTONE/MANISTIQUE — Back in April, Bay College announced the addition of an athletics program to its campus in Escanaba. The men’s basketball team will begin action in 2017 and this week, they have already ready signed two local U.P. players that will join the Norse.

Gladstone’s Joe Gibbs has signed his National Letter of Intent to play for Bay College. The dunking machine says he is ready to become part of a revamped team.

“It’s really exciting and there’s going to be a good atmosphere around it for the first couple years. I hope I can start it into something that’s really successful and good in the future. I think I’m going to be more of a leader as I grow up, and because I’m one of the first people, I want to set the bar and be a leader for everybody,” Gibbs said.

Manistique’s Darien Nichols also signed on the dotted line to play for the Norse. Nichols has type one diabetes but it does not stop him from being a part of Bay College.

“It’s an amazing experience. I’m very excited. I’m very glad that Coach [Matt] Johnson chose me to be part of the very first team since 1979. I’m hoping that we can build a very strong foundation for this program for basketball teams to follow,” said Nichols.

“I think we were very fortunate to lock in two commitments from two very good young men that I think are going to set a very solid foundation for our basketball program. We couldn’t be more excited. Two great kids and two people that we definitely welcome to the family with open arms,” said Athletic Director and men’s basketball coach Matt Johnson.

The Norse will begin play in the 2017–18 season.