Grizzlies Take Third At State

After a one year hiatus the Grace Grizzlies were able to qualify for the state tournament for the eighth time in the last ten years.  Though they are regular participants at the state tournament this season the Grizzlies appeared to be in real danger of missing out on state.  It’s been an inconsistent season for the Grizzlies this year due to several players missing time for a variety of reasons.  Luckily for the Grizzlies they hit full strength and settled into some consistency just in time for the district tournament.  After winning districts and a play-in game the Grizzlies were primed for a good state tournament run.  Due to several early losses during the season the Grizzlies entered state with a twelve and thirteen record and were given the number seven seed.  Their opening game was against the Valley Vikings.  Valley entered the tournament as the number two seed and boasted the only undefeated record in the whole state of Idaho from any classification.  On paper this round one match up seemed to greatly favor the Vikings but those that followed the Grizzlies this season knew these two teams were much closer than their records showed.

Grace began the game with great energy and struck first on the scoreboard.  The Grizzlies small early lead would not last however as the Vikings came back and took the lead finishing the first quarter up by six points.  The second quarter got off to a slow start for both teams.  Solid defense by both teams prevented any scoring through the first three minutes of play.  It was at that point that the Grizzlies got things rolling again.  With just under three minutes left in the first half the Grizzlies regrabbed the lead for the first time since being up five to three.  The Vikings briefly tied the game up but in the end the Grizzlies would outscore the Vikings by ten in the quarter and take a four point lead into the halftime break.  As the third quarter got underway the stifling Grizzly defense continued.  Their defense led to offense and the Grizzlies put some distance between themselves and the Vikings.  As the quarter ended Grace now held a fifteen point lead over the only undefeated team in the state.  After an action packed three quarters from the Grizzlies the fourth quarter was fairly stagnant for Grace.  The Grizzlies would only add three points in the final period but the Vikings nine points left them well short of mounting a comeback.  The Grizzlies advanced in the tournament with one of the biggest upsets at any level.

With the round one win the Grizzlies moved on to face the Kendrick Tigers.  The Tigers were on an eleven game win streak and were the hottest team in the state going into the tournament.  This semi-final game started with four three point shots, two from each team.  The Grizzlies briefly took a two point lead before the Tigers hit their third three point shot.  The Tigers finished the quarter with four three point shots and led the Grizzlies by six.  Unfortunately for Grizzly fans the second quarter would not be pretty for Grace.  The coaching staff’s inability to adjust to the Kendrick offense resulted in the Tigers blowing out the Grizzlies in the second period of play.  The Tigers outscored the Grizzlies by an astounding eighteen points in the second quarter alone.   The Grizzlies now faced the daunting task of trying to make up for a twenty four point deficit with just a half a game left to play.  The Grizzles came out of the half looking like a new team.  After five quick points the Grizzlies forced the Tigers to take a timeout.  Out of the timeout it was more Grace.  Tough defense and fast offense cut the lead to fifteen and forced another Tiger timeout.  In the last four minutes of the quarter Kendrick was finally able to answer some of the Grace scoring but when the quarter ended the Grizzlies had outscored the Tigers by sixteen and had cut the lead to just eight points.  In the final period of play the Grizzlies continued to fight but failed to ever get over the hump.  Some late foul shots helped the Tigers extend the lead and the Grizzlies went down swinging losing the semi-final by twelve points.  The loss now sent the Grizzlies to the third place game against the Lakeside Knights.

Lakeside is a very fast action team that scores a lot of points in transition.  Grace fans worried that with so much energy spent the previous day on the failed comeback attempt would the Grizzlies have enough left in the tank to win the third place game and bring home a trophy?  As the game got underway the Knights did come out aggressive scoring in just a few seconds then putting on a full court press.  After taking that initial punch from the Knights the Grizzlies punched back.  Through the first quarter of play the Grizzlies were able to match the Knights fast pace step for step and finished the first with a three point lead.  The game was physical and fast throughout.  In the second quarter the Grizzlies took some of the momentum and outscored the Knights by six to extend their overall lead to nine at the halftime break.  Underway in the second half the Grizzlies got somewhat complacent and allowed the Knights to fight back into the game.  Late in the third Lakeside had completed the comeback and took the lead away from the Grizzlies.  In the final minute of the third Grace was able to score five points to regain a slim two point lead heading into the fourth.  The battle continued early in the fourth with the Grizzlies continuing to hold a small lead.  As the period progressed the Grizzlies were able to flex their muscles just enough to pull away and win by eight points.  The Grizzlies earned the third place trophy after entering the tournament as the seven seed.  Their only loss during the weekend ended up coming to the eventual state champions who the Grizzlies gave the best game to in the semi-final.

The Grizzlies lose a very large and underrated senior class to graduation.  Grace will bring back five solid junior players many of whom saw substantial varsity minutes.  Next year’s Grizzlies will have to rely on a young inexperienced bench but should return plenty of talent to make another run next season.

Grizzlies 8 14 18 3 43

Vikings 14 4 7 9 34

D.Hill 2, J.Smith 7, B.Kimball 12, L.VanGass 4, C.Smith 9, C.Reeves 2, P.Yost 5, L.Moss 2

Grizzlies 8 3 26 17 54

Tigers 14 21 10 21 66

D.Hill 5, J.Smith 3, B.Kimball 11, G.Draper 3, L.VanGass 15, C.Smith 9, P.Yost 8

Grizzlies 13 19 13 18 63

Knights 10 13 20 12 55

D.Hill 7, J.Smith 4, B.Kimball 4, L.VanGass 23, C.Smith 14, C.Reeves 4, P.Yost 4, L.Moss 3