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NICK WHITE shoots a jumper in an earlier game this season. Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
GARDEN VALLEY — Turnovers and trouble scoring plagued both Golden Sierra varsity basketball teams in their home Sierra Delta League doubleheader with Encina Wednesday evening. The Grizzly girls fell 40-25 in the opener followed by the boys’ 30-point setback.
Add foul shooting to the Grizzly girls’ woes. Golden Sierra made just 6-of-23 from the charity stripe on a night the Lady Bulldogs were a tad bit better (11-of-26).
The Grizzlies jumped out behind two baskets from Sierra Monroe and one by Becca Brown before Encina bounced back to lead 7-6 after the opening quarter, In the second, the Griz but fell back by six before Kenna Barth hit on a short jumper and Monroe came up with a steal and went glass.
The Grizzlies were in good shape as halftime approached, right on the visitor’s heels, but were jolted as Deja Samuels sank a running wing three-pointer at the buzzer to give the ‘Dogs a 20-15 lead at the break.
Jenna Pendzinski’s bucket and a banked three by Samantha Schrader accounted for Golden Sierra’s output in the third quarter. Samuels got into the open court in transition and with Gabrielle Miller controlling the boards, Encina led 30-22 heading to the fourth.
Turnovers by way of unforced errors — by both sides — led to disjointed, second-half play. In the last eight minutes the Grizzlies managed single free throws from Schrader, Desiree Benedict and Melissa Comstock.
Monroe finished with nine points; Barth scored five; Schrader and Pendzinski, three apiece; Brown, two; and Benedict and Comstock, one each.
GARDEN VALLEY — The Bulldogs’ 18-0 second quarter run was the difference Wednesday as it was close till then.
Back-to-back baskets by Rocky Sacks had the Grizzlies up 18-14 and still up three after Brian Cann’s jumper before Encina, led by Dajon Green, reeled off 18 unanswered points and never looked back.
Green was a menace up top for the Bulldogs’ defense and picked up numerous steals. He ended up with 17 points and was supported by the inside presence of Datwon Bryant and Nate Jefferson. Long after Green’s departure, the active Encina bench continued to steal the ball and score in transition.
Nick White’s pass to a cutting Peter Biersteker and Biersteker’s three-pointer had Golden Sierra start well and the Griz grabbed the two-point lead at quarter’s end thanks to Jason Yurgelevic’s three.
Up by 13 at the half, Bryant’s three opened the third for Encina but Brenden Nutt answered for the Grizzlies from the baseline. The Bulldogs slowly pulled away as Golden Sierra could not keep pace.
Biersteker led the Griz with 13 points; Yurgelevic had six, Nutt, Sacks, Cann, and White had four each; Bryson Campbell added three; Matt Smith scored two; and Kyle Shiba a free throw.
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