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This is especially after the win the team earned on Friday night against Porterville High School at Porterville’s Bill Sharman Gymnasium.

“This was a must win game for making playoffs,” said Clayton Congdon, varsity basketball player.

The Grizzlies started off fast and were able to score quickly on the Panthers’ weak defense; the first quarter ended 16-5 with Grizzlies ahead.

The Grizzlies ability to play solid defense led to a lopsided first quarter score. The Grizzlies played a 2-3 zone the whole game. The Panthers were not ready for the zone. The Grizzlies protected the key and Porterville could not penetrate to the basket. The Grizzlies were able to get many offensive and defensive rebounds to limit the Panther’s ability to have an extra possession.

The Grizzlies were able to hold off the Panthers very easily in the first half and went into the locker room on top 26-17.

At the start of the third quarter the Grizzlies’ intensity was very impressive and they came out on a 9-0 run to bring their lead up to 35-17. However, this lead didn’t hold up for long when the Grizzlies allowed the Panthers to go on a scoring run of their own to bring the score close at the end of the third quarter.

Late in the fourth quarter the Panthers were able to bring the score within 49-45, but this would prove to be the closest the Panthers would get all night. “You could tell the Grizzlies wanted it more than the Panthers,” said Juan Jaimez, junior varsity basketball player.

The Grizzlies dominated the Panthers throughout the night and were able to end the game with a victory of 52-47.

“I was so proud of our boys that night,” said Hannah Vehrs, varsity cheerleader, “They worked together and played hard the entire night. It was an honorable win for the Grizzlies.”

Not only does this win give them bragging rights over Porterville but it also brings them that much closer to getting into the Division 4 playoffs. A win against Tulare Western on Monday night would seal the deal and send the Granite boys basketball team to the playoffs.

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