Grace Drops Two Divisional Games

The Grizzly boys basketball team earned two big victories over 2A opponents West Side and Soda Springs but dropped two divisional games against Oakley and Valley. The Grizzly men would travel twice to the Magic Valley last week to take on two highly ranked 1A teams. On Monday, Grace found themselves in Oakley to take on the Hornets. These two teams met previously on New Year's Day in the Delta Center. In that game Grace would walk away with a convincing win. On Monday however the Hornets were on their home court where they felt very confident and comfortable shooting from behind the arch. After one quarter the Grizzlies would be trailing 16-13. The second quarter would be disastrous for the Grizzlies. The temperature in Oakley was close to 50 degrees but the Grizzly shooting went ice cold. Several turnovers and shots that just wouldn't fall would see the Grizzlies only score two points in the quarter and go into halftime down 32-15. In the third quarter Grace turned up the pressure on Oakley and chipped away at the lead. Starting the fourth quarter Grace had cut the lead to ten. The Grizzlies would continue to battle and would get within one point. From there both teams would go to the charity stripe several times with the Hornets making their shots and the Grizz missing theirs. Grace falls in this one 55-51.  K.Clegg-13, Jorgensen-11, Sorenson-9, Lloyd-7, J.Clegg-5, Kimball-2, Mathews-2, Smith-2.          

Just five days later the Grizzlies would once again find themselves in the Magic Valley as they took on the Valley Vikings. Valley would come into the contest as the number five ranked team in the state. The Grizzlies were not intimidated at all and came out hot. Sorenson would score the first four points for the Grizz before landing wrong on his second shot and suffering an injury. He would remain sidelined for the rest of the game. After a quick lead by the Grizz the Vikings would fight back and the teams would trade baskets and end the first quarter of play with a one point Valley lead. During the second period of play each team would go on a little run and the teams would enter the half with the Grizzlies now leading by one point at 30-29. In the third quarter the Grizzlies would struggle to get going again. 

Frustration from shots not falling and some turnovers would see the Grizzlies fall behind 46-39. Grace would come out in the fourth with more intensity and just three minutes in would once again grab the lead. They would gain a five point advantage before the Vikings would go on a little run of their own. With just 26 seconds left the Grizzlies would have the lead and the ball. Unfortunately the Grizzlies would turn the ball over and Valley would go the other way and get fouled on a made basket. After the made foul shot Valley now had the one point lead with just six seconds left. Grace would quickly push the ball up the court and get a shot off at the buzzer. Although the shot was within the key hole it was highly contested and the ball deflected off the side of the rim. The Grizzlies lose another tough battle 58-57. J.Clegg-19, Jorgensen-17, K.Clegg-9, Kimball-6, Sorenson-4, Smith-2

    The Grizzlies will wrap up their season Saturday as they take on rival Butte County.  This game may determine who gets the number one seed in the upcoming district tournament. This game will also be senior night for the Grizzlies as they will honor their six senior players, Kai Clegg, Joe Clegg, Brennon Sorenson, Rayff Jorgensen, Eason Lloyd, and Koby Rindlisbaker.