The Granite Hills boy's basketball team held an intense game against the Arvin Bears on Tuesday, December 3. From the beginning both teams wanted to win and tempers began to flare as the boys stepped onto the court. The Grizzlies lost their first home game and were determined to win their second home game of the season. The Grizzlies ended up taking the win that night at 66-51.
           
To kick things off for the Grizzlies, starters were Nathan Cordova, Michael Jeff, Curtis Keene, Eric Taylor, and Eric Ruelas. Grizzlies head coach, Bud Luther pumped up the boys just minutes before the game was set to begin.
           
"I was ready for whatever Arvin's boys had to bring against us," said senior Eric Taylor. "I just knew that we weren't going to give up without a fight."

Starters for Arvin were Francisco Cervantes, Tony Alvarez, Eric Castro, Daniel Rodriguez, and Alex Williams.
           
The Grizzlies took control of the court for the first five minutes of the game, but the Bears didn't quit. The Bears played tough defense, forcing Granite to use their endurance. Sophomore Matthew Camargo came into the first quarter and made the first two points of the game. Moments later Cervantes played aggressively and managed earn Arvin two points.

With nine minutes left in the first quarter Granite's Keene was fouled and went two for two at the free throw line. "Go Grizzlies go," was one of the chants from the Granite Hills cheerleaders that were repeated throughout the night.

Minutes later, Granite's Keene and Camargo were fouled again and both went two for two. The first quarter end at 11-9, Granite up.

The whistle blew- emotions were high as both teams step onto the court ready to play a penetrating second quarter. Granite was still doing their best cling onto a strong lead. Alvarez played strong defense, but fouled Keene and Granite gained another two points, 14-9.

"Let's go Bears, come on now," shouted Arvin's Alex Williams as he stepped off of the court during the second quarter.

With four minutes left in the second quarter Granite's Ruelas was fouled and went two for two at the free throw line. Despite the Bear's good defense the Grizzlies still kept the lead at 20-10, and worked their offense to the limit.

Granite's Coach, called for the first timeout, giving his players a quick pick-up chat.

Arvin still wasn't going down without a fight and seconds back into the game, Daniel Rodriquez took a shot form the three point line- swish. Tempers were at their worst and with only four minutes and seven seconds remaining in the second quarter, Arvin's Tony Alvarez received a technical foul.

Keene shot two for two at the free throw line, giving Granite a ten point lead, 27-17. Players then hustled to the other side of the court as Granite's Michael Jeff tried to drive to the basket. He was quickly double teamed by Arvin.

The second half ending with Granite keeping a lead, 33-20.

As the third quarter kicks off the Bear's began playing man on man defense. Forcing the Grizzlies to play aggressively. Jeff dribbled the ball to the right side of the court and shot for three- swish. Moments later Camargo called for the ball and shots for three- swish. Grizzlies kept a lead at 50-33.

Francisco Cervantes wasn't going down without a fight and took the ball away from Granite, as he drove his way down the middle of the court. The third quarter was a battle for both teams, but Granite still had a lead, 58-36.

In the fourth quarter sophomore Robert Scruggs came in and quickly made a bounce pass to Chuck Taylor. Taylor dribbled past an Arvin defender and earned Granite three points.
 
With six minutes and twenty seconds left on the clock Granite calls for another timeout, they hung onto their lead, 62-40. By this time sweat was dripping from both teams and no team wanted to go down without a clean fight.
 
Arvin slowly began to make a come back and soon they were at 66-47, trying to make a come back against Granite. Pretty soon another technical foul was called, but not on Arvin, on the Grizzlies. Junior Nathan Cordova received a technical foul for un-sportsmen like conduct with just minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

J.T. Blas and Daniel Lopez checked in for the Bear's and played tough defense against the Grizzlies.

Once again tempers flared between both teams as they fought for each loose ball with only one minute and four seconds remaining in the game.

The Bear's put up an impressive fight against the Grizzlies, but they fell short at 66-51.

"I thought they moved the ball around and made a lot of shots- I thought they did a good job working together and rebounding," said Granite Hills Athletic Director, Richard Rankin.

Curtis Keene ended the night with 16 points, and Michael Jeff was not far behind him with 15 points.

Nathan Cordova ended up with 9 points, followed by Eric Taylor with 7 points.

"We played a great game, it's great having a full team with the addition of Isaac and Philippe," Granite's Coach Luther said. "We finally have size back on our team."

Granite's freshman finished up the night win a win of their own, 37-33. Junior varsity also won against Arvin. Granite's next home game is scheduled against Hanford West on Tuesday, December 11.