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Mission Oak started off fast and got a seven point lead within three minutes of the game. The Grizzly offense, however, was able to score some lay ups and get them back into the game.

Shots from both teams seemed to be automatic. Junior Dante Cunningham and senior Tello Guzman both attacked the rim hard, getting floaters and lay-ups on most possessions. Both teams kept shooting the ball and kept scoring.

Mission Oak was able to get a lot of offensive rebounds and score points from them, which kept them with a big lead throughout most of the game. The Grizzly defense just simply did not measure up to the bigger Mission Oak offense.

This helped bring the Grizzlies close to tying the score before the half, but due to some mistakes by the Grizzlies, the score ended 30-28 at the half with Mission Oak on top.

“I just kept thinking to keep up, try my hardest and come out strong in our third quarter because it’s known to be our nemesis,” said sophomore Clayton Congdon

The second half started off just like the first half had ended, with both teams racing up and down the court trying to out do each other. The score stayed close and both teams seemed determined to pull ahead.

Cunningham came alive in the second half and simply unleashed the beast. He kept the Mission Oak defense on their toes and accounted for most of the Grizzly’s second half points, scoring 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

He continued to score lay-up after lay-up and shot after shot to keep the Grizzlies in the game. He also had plenty of help from seniors Tello Guzman and Erik Bartlett scoring seven and 11 points respectively.

Lopez got hot in the third quarter, bringing the Grizzlies back into the game with three consecutive three-point shots.

Late in the half the Grizzlies just seemed to be worn out, Mission Oak kept scoring and shooting the ball as he had done throughout the whole game, but during the fourth quarter was when it really did damage, continually beating the Grizzlies down the court for easy fast break layups.

Mission Oak was able to pull ahead with a commanding lead and put the Grizzlies out of reach from winning the game. The once exciting game seemed to turn from good to bad in the blink of an eye.

The game ended in a heartbreaking score of Mission Oak 74, Granite Hills 58. The team played a very good game but was just not able to come up with a win.

Cunningham did end the game on a high note, getting up and blocking a fast break layup from Mission Oak off of the backboard and then hitting a three-point shot the next possession.

The Grizzlies will be facing the Porterville Panthers next on Friday at Porterville High School.