Tight game against the Grizzlies goes to the Wolverines

The SRV is a tough place to play ball. The top five teams in the league have traded places many times in many sports. Weiser traveled to Fruitland on Friday, Feb. 7 in a “would be nice” must win. This game was not easy as Weiser has been decimated by illness the past couple of weeks. It’s late in the season, the flu is rampant and we are a bit beat up. This is where you find out what you are made of and how badly you want it. 

 Weiser did very well in the first half but the third quarter was anything but well. Fruitland stormed back in that quarter to take a lead. Weiser dug deeper and kept on shooting and playing with grit. It just makes the victory that much sweeter. Weiser 58, Fruitland 51.

 Fruitland controlled the tip and drained a three. Shayd Crossley to Kolin Cook for his own three, 3-3. Isai Herrera with a bucket, 5-5. Garrett Walker with an offensive rebound put back, 7-7. Josh Mizar on the fast break to his trailer Herrera for the finish, 9-9. Crossley pulled down a “D” rebound which led to the fast break and Cook finishing with the hoop, 11-9 W. Weiser stiffened up and forced a shot clock violation on the Grizzlies. Fabulous defense! Garrett Walker with the jumper in the key, 13-9 W. Owen Funke to Cook for a mid range shot, 15-9. At the end of one, Weiser 15, Fruitland 9.

 Weiser opened up their scoring with Herrera to Crossley for a shot, 17-9 W.  On the scramble, Crossley finished with the bucket, 19-9 W. Crossley to Brayden Nordgren for a three, 22-11 W. Herrera to Cook in the corner baseline for a three, 25-16 W. Cook stole the ball at half court, dribbled, bounced the ball to Nordgren for the lay up, 27-16 W. Funke with a great bounce pass to Garrett Walker cutting through the key for the shot, 29-20 W. Weiser started racking up fouls and Fruitland was making free throws while the clock sat idle, 29-25 W. Garrett Walker with a long two, 31-25 W at the half.

 Fruitland was out rebounding the Wolverines on their offensive side of the court. Multiple chances led to second and third shots that counted. The game was tied 31-31 at 6:47.  At 5:57, Fruitland took the lead 33-31. Garrett Walker with an “O” rebound, and a mid range jumper, 33-33. Mizar with the half hook shot, 35-35. At 3:07, Fruitland upped their lead to 40-35. Garrett Walker to Nordgren for the basket, 40-37 F. Funke with an “O” rebound put back, 40-39 F. Karsten Walker to Cook for a much needed three, 43-42 F. With a quarter to go, Fruitland had the one point lead.

 The fourth began with grit! Cook to Funke. Funke with the step to his left for the three, 45-43 W. Cook to Funke to Cook to Mizar for a three, 48-43 W.  Mizar with a steal. On the fast break, Mizar to Cook with the hesitation step and bucket, 50-43 W.  

 Mizar was fouled on a drive and made his first free throw, 51-43 W. Mizar snagged an “O” rebound in the air and shot it true, 53-46 W. Mizar was fouled on his drive sinking both free throws, 55-46 W. With under a minute to go, Weiser stalled until Fruitland forced a turn over and called time out at 28.6 seconds. Cook was fouled making his second free throw, 56-50 W. Fruitland called time out at 14.2 seconds. Cook was fouled draining his two free throws. Herrera with the “D” rebound to end the game. Weiser wins 58-51.

 Scoring: Cook 18, Garrett Walker and Mizar 10, Nordgren 7, Funke 5, Herrera and Crossley 4 each.