The Cardinals Fly Past Grace, Get Winged By Declo
Jan 22, 2025 10:10AM ● By Jody Reeves
The Cardinals defense had their hands full with the Hornets. Kirby and McWilliams size were greatly needed against the tall Declo team.
The Cardinals played two games last week, one against an old rival and one versus a new conference foe.
Soda Springs began the week taking the very short road trip to Grace to take on the Grizzlies. Even though the two schools no longer compete in the same classification, the old cross county rivalry still brings out the competitive nature of the players and fans. In recent years the Cardinals and Grizzlies have had some entertaining battles that have ended in several close games. The Soda Springs faithful rolled into Grace looking to take down the Grizzlies on their home court. As the game got going, the Cardinals came out and played with more intensity and urgency than the Grizzlies. The Cardinals pressured the ball relentlessly, creating several turnovers which they took advantage of. The stunned Grizzlies did their best to fend off the Cardinal attack, and at the end of the first quarter the game was tight with Soda Springs leading by a basket. Konner McWilliams dominated the first quarter and throughout the night. In the second period, the Cardinals’ offensive production slowed down but their continued pressure held the Grizzlies to just a single field goal and a pair of foul shots. The Cardinals entered the half feeling good with a seven point lead. The third quarter is where the Cardinals really won the game. Thompson, McWilliams, and Kirby each with multiple baskets helped Soda Springs to score twenty-two points in the period. Despite being down by double digits the Grizzlies weren’t quite done and made a good run in the fourth quarter. With just over six seconds left in the game Grace hit a three point shot to cut the lead to just three. A somewhat controversial call was made at that point by the official, but all it did was delay the inevitable. A pair of foul shots sealed the deal for the Cardinals as they won game one of the county rivalry by five points.
Following the solid win the Cardinals next faced off with the Declo Hornets. Declo is the consensus number one team not only in the district but the state in the 3A classification. In the early part of conference play Declo sits at number one followed by West Side. After that things are a little more murky meaning if the Cardinals could pull off an upset against the undefeated Hornets it would go a long way in the conference standings.
As the game tipped off it was very quickly apparent that the Hornets would hold a distinct advantage in size and depth. Not only were they strong but they were quick and great shooters. This time it was the Cardinals who got punched first and were reeling. By the end of the first quarter Soda Springs already trailed by seven. The quick rotations of the Hornets did not see any fall off as each new group that checked in seemed to hold the same level of talent and size. By the time halftime rolled around the Cardinals were welcoming the break so they could catch their breath. The Hornets now had doubled up the Cardinals and led by double digits. The Cardinals regrouped at the half and came out with more fight in the third quarter. The Cardinals were unable to cut into the overall lead but won a moral victory by matching the Hornets scoring in the period proving that they could play with the number one team. Once again in the fourth quarter the Cardinals would match the Hornets scoring output. Even though they were never able to get closer than ten points in the second half the Cardinals showed real determination and a never quit attitude that should benefit them moving on through the season.
The Cardinals have another tough week on tap this week. They start with a very intriguing match up with Malad on Wednesday then take on West Side on Friday. Both of those games are at home for Soda Springs.
Cardinals 17 9 22 6 54
Grizzlies 15 4 14 16 49
K.Kirby 5, C.Jacobson 3, C.Thompson 16, G.Hansen 3, K.McWilliams 23, D.Stoor 2, P.Ozburn 2
Cardinals 6 7 17 12 42
Hornets 13 17 17 12 59
K.Kirby 2, C.Jacobson 6, C.Thompson 13, G.Hansen 4, K.McWilliams 12, P.Ozburn 3, D.Billman 2
