GRADY – The Lady Wildcats had a rough district run the last few games but managed to finish the week on a high note clinching a playoff spot with a 4-5 district record.
On Jan. 28, Grady hosted on No. 1 Sands for the start of the second round of district play. The Mustangs jumped out to an early lead and used a stifling defense to cruise to a 52-16 victory.
“We lost the game, but we played much better than before,” said Grady coach Jym Dennis. “Our defense played really well for most of the game. We were able to cause some problems. The girls battle and play hard no matter the opponent and I love that about this team.”
Delaney Saunders led Grady in scoring with five points. Sydney Gonzales, Jessi Everett, Skye Shock, Tatum North, and Samantha Griffin finished the game with two points each and Mercedes Jimenez had one point.
Grady then traveled to Klondike on Feb. 1. The game was very close for the first two quarter before the Cougars went on a 15-5 run to blow the game open.
Grady’s offense looked to rally in the final eight minutes, but the hole was too big to claw out of giving Klondike a 56-40 victory.
“The third quarter would prove to be the difference. We didn’t play defense like we had been playing and gave up some open shots that we usually contest, and they were able to make a run,” stated Dennis. “Being outscored by 10 in the quarter put us behind and we couldn’t recover. Still proud of the girls and their effort.”
Gonzales was high point for Grady with 14 points and Everett and Saunders added 10 points each.
Finally, on Tuesday Grady put together a performance good enough to beat Garden City and clinch a playoff berth.
The Bearkats didn’t make things easy for Grady. After falling behind early Garden City rallied for a 22- 19 halftime lead.
The Wildcats would regain their composure to steal momentum away in the second half and go on to win 45-27.
“We clamped down on defense in the second half which allowed us to outscore Garden City in the second,” said Dennis.
Everett had a team high 13 points and Jimenez added eight points.
Gonzales and Griffin tossed in seven points each and Saunders chipped in with six points. Shock and North ended the game with two points each.
Grady plays Whiteface Monday at 6 p.m. in Seminole for bi-district championship.