Rispoli takes a shot for Granite on Wednesday, January 18. The Grizzlies fell to Tulare Western, 51-52.

“We knew that they were going to be an aggressive team, I just challenged the girls to rise to their aggressive level,” stated head coach Gary Stoddard. The game ended with Tulare Western up by only 1 point, 51-52.

Lady Grizzly Emily Fechner and Lady Mustang Cheve Guerrero started off the night setting up for the jump ball. Even though Fechner won the jump ball, starting the Lady Grizzlies off with possession, Tulare Western’s Bianca Gama still managed to put the first points up on the board. Granite Hills scored the next two baskets making the score 5-4. Lady Mustang Jessica Martin ended the quarter sinking a 3 point buzzer beater.

With the score being 10-21, both teams went back onto the court to play a game that was far from being over. Lady Grizzly Sabrina Hernandez went straight onto the court to put up a shot from the block and scored. Lady Mustang Martin was beginning to get on fire sinking every shot. With the half coming to a close, Lady Grizzly Quaraya Fuston was fouled and scored both of her free throws making the game a close 26-30.

Coming back from half time the Lady Mustangs were rewarded with two free throws after the Lady Grizzlies head coach Stoddard was penalized with a technical foul. The Lady Mustangs had possession of the ball and didn’t hesitate to put 2 more points on the board. Shortly after, Lady Grizzly Vanessa Ortiz sank a 3 pointer.

Lady Mustangs continued to put up a fight for the Lady Grizzlies, running their zone defense against the Grizzlies that has a motion offense based on man-on-man defense. Even with the the team sticking with a zone for a whole game, Granite soon realized the flaws that this zone had and kept attacking them. Even with Granite attacking the holes, it still wasn’t enough to overcome the aggressive defense and offense that the Lady Mustangs were playing.

The final quarter came, and Granite continued to catch up to the Lady Mustangs. Fouls were being thrown left and right and the Lady Grizzlies tried to fight back.

With only 42 seconds left of the game, Lady Grizzly Fechner put up the shot and got fowled getting an and1. The score was now only one point away; however no matter how hard the Lady Grizzlies tried to fight the Lady Mustangs to get down the court and score another basket, the Lady Mustangs just wouldn’t allow it. The Lady Mustangs came out of the game with a victory hung above their heads. Final score being 51-52.