Lady Grizzlies Win District Title

GRACE – There are a few things you can count on in Southeast Idaho during the month of February.  It will still be winter despite any false spring.  Valentine's Day will come whether you celebrate it or not. And the Lady Grizzlies will play the Lady Pirates for the district title.  These two teams have met for the district title every year since Coach Christensen took over the program six years ago for the Grizzlies.  Thursday night the Grizzlies and the Pirates would once again face off for the district title at Thunder Ridge High School.  

This game for the district title was everything Grace fans have come to expect from such a well coached talented group of girls.  Early on in this one Smith was much more assertive under the basket than the previous meeting between these two teams.  She has been the focus of many opponents' defensive schemes.  Smith was able to attack the basket putting in some good shots and drawing fouls.  The Pirates appeared to have the strategy of trying to wear down the Grizzlies as they were trying to play at a very fast pace and subbing frequently.  However Grace’s length, ball pressure, and active hands created several turnovers and the Lady Grizz jumped out to a 13-4 lead before the first Butte timeout.  After the timeout the Grizzlies kept up the pressure and closed the quarter leading 17-8.  

As the second period got under way it was Butte who grabbed a little momentum and cut into the lead making the score 17-12.  Coach Christensen would put the starters back in and the fast pace game continued as Butte continued to try to wear the Grizzly starters down.  The Lady Grizz were up to the challenge and held up to the pressure.  Smith did pick up a second foul and headed to the bench but Grace was back in control leading 24-14.  After a pair of timeouts, one by each team the quarter would come to a close and the Grizzlies would take a 29-14 lead into the locker room.  

The third quarter would be the most competitive of the evening but it wouldn't be pretty.  Both Andersen and Smith would pick up their third personal fouls and be forced to spend some time on the bench.  The teams would trade baskets back and forth and each team would add 10pts to their totals.  

Starting off the final quarter Grace came out sensing how close they were to another district title.  The Grizzlies quickly went on a 5-0 run and Butte took a timeout with just under 5 min left in the game.  Butte came out of the timeout trying to press the Lady Grizzlies, but to no avail.  Grace easily beat the press and scored some easy buckets.  Now it was Butte who looked worn down and tired.  After letting his seniors run most of the 4th quarter and build the lead to 54-28 Coach Christensen went to his bench and got the younger girls some court time.  From there Butte would put in a couple of baskets but the Lady Grizz would reign supreme and once again be district champions with a final of 54-33.  

Smith would come up big for the Grizzlies as well as Jorgensen who put in some quality time when Smith was on the bench.  Scoring for the Grizzlies Smith-13, Straatman-9, Jorgensen-9, J.Christensen-8, Yost-7, Stoddard-4, Andersen-2, K.Christensen-2.

The Lady Grizzlies will enter the state tournament as the overall number one seed.  They will face eighth seeded Rimrock at 2:00 p.m. at Columbia High School.  With wins over the number two and number four seeds in the tournament already this season Grace has high expectations.  After last year's disappointing round one loss however the Grizzlies will not be overlooking anyone as they make a run at the state title.