As the regular basketball seasons came to a close for the Granger boys and girls basketball teams, they had one last SCAC West league game against who else, but their arch-rival Zillah in Zillah Thursday night, Feb. 11.
After both Granger teams beat Goldendale the previous Tuesday, they were both 11-0 in league play and 18-0 for the season. The big question was--Which teams could end their regular season undefeated?
As it turned out, the Lady Spartans ended their season with an “almost perfect season”. The Lady Leopards just seemed to be more determined and focused during most of the game to finally upset the No. 1 ranked team in the state 44-38.
The pressure of being undefeated seemed to finally take its toll on the Lady Spartans as they made poor passes and shot a dismal low percentage of field goals. Even their free throws were not dropping in.
On the other side, Alisi Uasike played like her team was ranked No. 1 in the state. She had a big double-double scoring 17 points and pulling down 17 rebounds.
Earlier in the season, Granger beat Zillah by 23 points. The perfect season was just not meant to be. Fortunately for both teams, it is now time for the second season to begin—the district tournament. Granger opens district play at home on Thursday, Feb. 18 against Kiona-Benton. Zillah, as second place finisher in league, hosts Riverview on that same night.
The Granger boys handled the pressure of being undefeated better than the girls and completed probably their best season in the history of Granger basketball by winning 62-52 over the Zillah Leopards. They will head into the districts playoffs 12-0 in league play and 19-0 for the season.
Leading the way were 6-1 junior Matt James and Mitchell Zapien of the Spartans. James scored a season high 23 points while the always dependable Zapien added 18 points. Sophomore Andrew Reddout also scored 12 points to assure Granger’s win.
As the SCAC West’s No. 1 seed into districts, Granger will host Connell on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. Zillah concluded their season.