Grizzlies Come Up Short In Semi Final

The Grace Grizzlies faced off against their district rival the Butte County Pirates in the district semi final game last week.  It was the Grizzlies first game of the district tournament as they had earned a first round bye by becoming the number one seed in the tournament.  The Pirates entered the game as the number two seed and had qualified for the semi final after defeating Alturas Prep. in the first round of the tournament.  Last week's game was the seventh year in a row that these two teams have met in the semi final game.  The Grizzlies have won the majority of those games but there have been several very competitive games along the way.  Last week's game fell into that category as the game was tight throughout without either team being able to gain any significant advantage. 

In the first quarter of play the teams battled back and forth with the Pirates eventually gaining a small advantage.  The Pirates built a seven point lead near the middle of the period but the Grizzlies did not back down.  With just seconds left in the quarter Bodee Smith hit his second three point shot to give the Grizzlies a two point lead.  The Pirates were able to hit a jumper at the buzzer and the quarter ended with the two teams all knotted up at twenty points a piece.  In the second period of play the offenses cooled off.  Initially the Grizzlies appeared to stay on track as they quickly built up an eight point lead while holding the Pirates to just two points for the majority of the quarter.  Around the midway point of the quarter the Grizzlies hit a wall scoring and did not score the rest of the period.  They were able to maintain a lead until the last two minutes of the quarter where the Pirates capped off an 8-0 run of their own and at the halftime break the teams were even once again.  For much of the third period of play the offenses stayed cool while the defenses stayed in control.  After each team had built small leads in the first half the third quarter saw neither team able to pull away.  There were a few lead changes and ties.  As the quarter buzzer sounded for the first time in the game the teams were not even.  The Grizzlies led by just a single point headed into the fourth quarter.  It was definitely shaping up to be one of those games that would come down to the wire.  In the fourth and final quarter at the three minute mark the Pirates had snuck out to a six point lead.  A short time later Bodee Smith would hit another three and cut the lead in half.  The Grizzlies continued to attempt to even the game up but could not get over the hump.  Grace was able to get the lead cut to just a single point with just seconds left in the game.  In the last eight seconds of the game the Grizzlies would have two possessions with two opportunities to take the lead.  Unfortunately in both cases the Grizzlies turned the ball over and failed to execute.  Time ran out on the Grizzlies in this game and they lost by just a single point.  Grace had their chances but several late turnovers and missed foul shots doomed them.  

The Grizzlies celebrate a big three points shot in an earlier game from this season. Outside shooting will have a big impact on the Grizzlies success through the rest of the district tournament.

The loss has now sent the Grizzlies to a loser out game that took place on Monday night.  That game was against Alturas Prep. and although it had not yet been played by the writing of this article I predict that the Grizzlies cruise to an easy victory in that game.  Assuming they win that game they will then have to play Butte County once again in a must win situation.  A win in that game will force an if necessary game that will take place on Thursday.  

A loss will end the Grizzlies season.  The must win game took place on Tuesday and once again will have taken place by the printing of this article so you will have to check next week's issue to see if the Grizzlies survived and are still in the hunt for a district title and a state berth. 

Grizzlies 20 10 13 10 53

Pirates 20 10 12 12 54

G. Draper 5, C. Mecham 11, B. Smith 17, B. Andersen 3, C. Smith 7, P. Yost 10