-
Stanton’s varsity basketball teams will be in action this weekend at the Pinky Jones Hooptown Classic at Stanton High School. The schedule is on page seven.
GARDEN CITY - Grady’s varsity boy’s basketball team had a rough weekend at the Bearkat Klassic winning just two of their five competitions.
The Wildcats opened the tournament on Thursday against Eldorado.
The Eagles used two strong first half quarters to take a 27-16 lead.
Grady looked to battle back in the second half with a 33-27 showing but the Wildcats could not overcome the slow start and Eldorado won 54-49.
Jackson Welch led Grady with 22 points and Gunnar Rivas added a season high 12 points.
Cooper Sims scored eight points followed by Quint Harrell with three, Franki Jimenez two and Logan Aaron two.
Grady looked better in its second game on Thursday against Robert Lee.
The Wildcats jumped out to a commanding 21-9 lead and cruised to a 63-45 win.
Welch was unstoppable with 27 points. Rivas again added 12 while Sims scored 10 and Harrell had a season high 10 points.
Blaise Warren and Jimenez chipped in with two points each.
Friday’s early game was a snoozefest as Grady never woke up against Sterling City.
The two teams combined for just eight first quarter points before Sterling City snagged a slim 14-11 halftime lead.
The Eagles outscored the Wildcats in both the third and fourth quarters for the impressive 37-27 victory.
Welch was held to just 15 points. Warren had four, Harrell three, Rivas two and Sims two.
Grady would match-up with Robert Lee for the second time in two days and much like the first meeting, Grady dominated 58-39.
Welch burned the nets for 23 points and Warren added a season high 14 points.
Aaron and Rivas scored seven points each while Jimenez had four and Harrell tallied three.
The final game of the tournament was a competitive contest against Iraan.
Grady took the early 15-12 lead and increased its advantage to 21-15 by halftime.
Iraan exploded in the third quarter to outscore Grady 17-3 and take a 32-24 lead.
Grady would again best Iraan in the fourth quarter but the Wildcats could not overcome the dismal third and lost 45-39.
Rivas led Grady with 11 points. Warren and Welch posted six points each and Aaron, Harrell and Sims tossed in five apiece. Jimenez rounded out the books with one point.
“This was a tough tournament for us this early in the season. Two of the three days we played two games in a one day with only seven players,” said Grady coach Chris Short. “ I am very proud of the progress that the team has made over the past few games. This was a learning time for our young team. I really feel that we are making great strides and that is what these pre-season games are for.”
Grady’s season record now stands at 5-4.
Upcoming games:
Ira varsity Tournament December 12-14
Tuesday Dec. 17th vs Seagraves @ Grady (Jv Girls 4:00 p.m., Jv Boys 5:00 p.m., Varsity Girls 6:30 p.m., Varsity Boys 7:45 p.m.)