Fruitland girls mop floor with La Grande
By Wil Anderson
Argus Observer
Sunday, December 7, 2008 12:04 AM PST
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| Wil Anderson | Argus Observer
Fruitland’s Hailey Felgenhauer (with ball) looks for room around La Grande’s Brittani Good during the first half of action, Saturday in Fruitland. The Grizzlies picked up a 54-26 win over the Tigers. |
FRUITLAND—Saturday night, the Fruitland girls basketball team did not look like the the team that had just played their third game in five days.
Instead, the Grizzlies looked as fresh as the first week of the season, but with the fluidity of a team that has been playing together all season long.
Fruitland used that to its advantage, with a 54-26 nonconference win over La Grande, in Fruitland.
From the onset, the game was never in doubt for the Grizzlies, jumping out to a 22-7 lead after the first quarter of play, when it seemed the Grizzlies would never miss a shot again.
In the quarter, Fruitland’s Sarah McGinley hit a pair of 3-pointers, to lead the Grizzly charge.
During the next eight minutes of play, the Grizzlies fell back down to earth, connecting on only one field goal, and four free throws.
Fortunately for the Grizzlies, their defense stepped up at the same time, limiting the Tigers to six points as well, going into the half 28-13.
“This was our third game this week, we focused on staying mentally tough,” Fruitland head coach Beth Holt said. “We played with a lot of heart and finished strong.”
During the week, the Grizzlies finished the week with two wins, out of the three tries, to move their record to 3-3 overall.
In the second half, Fruitland really took over, as their defense limited the Tigers (0-2) to 13 points overall, with only four coming in the fourth quarter.
Fruitland’s offense also did its job, doubling up the Tigers, for 26 points, led by Hailey Felgenhauer with 12 or her game high 21 points. McGinley finished with 11 points and Bailey Rhinehart added eight in the win.
“I am really proud of the kids, they are coming together and gelling at the right time,” Holt said. “I saw a lot of confidence in a lot of eyes. We have worked on our offense for each girl to attack the basket, not just one or two.”
The Grizzlies all attacked the basket, as all nine of the Grizzlies recorded a shot, with only two not recording points.
For La Grande, Brittani Good led her team with 14 points.
Fruitland travels to Vale, Tuesday in a nonleague matchup.
