** MATCH REPORT **
The u14 Grizzlies took to their home floor once again off the back of their highest scoring game last Sunday, and looked to take a win against an unseen Northwich BC side to clinch the league title.
The first quarter started off very slow, with the Grizzlies rattled by the size of Northwich, allowing fast break lay-ups, second chance points and a defeat in the rebounding battle. Northwich however came out firing, scoring on their first 5 possessions and causing the Grizzlies issues defensively. This maintained throughout the quarter and led to Northwich taking a 19-6 lead into the second.
The second quarter however saw the Grizzlies wake up and resume business as usual, containing Northwich's big guys and managing to break them down offensively, fully flipping the tie on its head and having their own purple patch. The rebounding, the defensive pressure and the made fast breaks allowed the Grizzlies back into the tie, levelling the match at the half with 24 points each.
The third quarter became a gritty affair, with neither team performing at their best, yet still managing to claw some points out of the game, and with both teams fouling it meant a battle at the free throw line was to decide this quarter. This wouldn't matter however, as both sides made the same amount of free throws, resulting in a tie game going into the final period.
The Grizzlies started well, keeping up their defence and managing to force some turnovers from Northwich, and some stellar play from the Grizzlies guards allowed them to get to the bucket at will, but they failed to convert on most of these opportunities. Northwich also fought back and finally managed to assert their dominance on the game, causing the Grizzlies to commit 4 turnovers in the last 2 minutes of the game. A great drive from the Northwich point guard meant they took the lead by 1 with 8 second left, and then their defence got the job done, causing yet another turnover from the Grizzlies to end the tie.
The Grizzlies suffer their first loss of the season, and now go 8-1 on the season. With three games left, the Grizzlies need to take care of business to cement their status as league champions. With Northwich having lost two games already this season, the final game of the season away at Northwich could prove to be vital.
Match MVP went to Harry.
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