Claiborne hosted Grainger, January 31, for four games of basketball. Game one was a junior varsity girls’ game, and the Lady Grizzlies rolled out to a 7-1 first period lead. Claiborne scored quickly but then allowed Grainger to increase their lead out to 14-9, but by the end of the period, Claiborne had it down to a single point at 16-15 after taking the lead once in the final minute. The third period was a classic back and forth one with Grainger getting the lead 20-19 at the buzzer. Claiborne fought hard in the final period but fell by the final score of 24-21. Claiborne was led in scoring by Jacy Ferguson with nine. Avalyn Cook had six, Carlie Laprade had four, and Channing Buis had three. Grainger was led by Ava Dellinger with 11.
Next to take the court in the Carl Green Gymnasium were the boys’ junior varsity teams. The Bulldogs got out of the gate fast and took a 13-6 lead. The Grizzlies fired back, and by the end of the first period, the score was 19-17. Grainger came out in the second period and knocked down two three-pointers that propelled them to a 31-22 score midway during the period. Grainger led at the half, 43-28. Claiborne got further behind during the third period. After three periods, the score was 63-38. The final score in this one was 79-52. The Bulldogs were led by Brayden Painter with 20. Kris Ford had eight, Hunter Greer and Kayden Williams had seven each, Drew Epperson had five, Aden Roark had three and Kaden Loven had two. Grainger was led by Grant Jarnigan with 15.
The first of two varsity games featured the Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Grizzlies. Claiborne held their own when the game began. It was 10-6 in favor of the Lady Grizz, with around two minutes remaining in the opening period. At the end of one period of play, Grainger held the lead at 14-6. The Lady Grizzlies continued scoring the ball during the second period and remained out front of Claiborne on the scoreboard. At the half, Grainger led 28-12. Claiborne needed a quick run coming out of the break, and although they played better, Grainger kept scoring. Claiborne tried to rally, but after three periods, Grainger led 55-31. Claiborne never found the answer on defense, and Grainger won comfortably, 66-41. Hannah Fugate led Claiborne with 19, Jordan Fultz had six, Allie Jones had five, Emma Myatt had four, Ily Bussell finished with three, Taylor Pressnell had two and Genesis Bailey along with Carlie Laprade scored one point. Grainger was led by Adison Hayes with 18 and Maddie Hurst with 14. The Heartland Real Estate Player of the Game was Hannah Fugate. Congratulations Hannah!
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Next on the court was the Bulldogs varsity boys. Claiborne needed to score and score often to defeat a very good Grainger team. The Bulldogs did just that and went on a 10-0 run before Grainger took a time out. Grainger got into a groove and shot themselves back into the game. After the opening period, Claiborne led 15-11. Grainger clawed back into it, and at the half, Claiborne only led by three at 25-22. Claiborne began the second half with a coach angering turnover, but Grainger was still cold shooting the ball. The Bulldogs went ahead by nine points before the Grizzlies finally answered. At the end of three periods, Claiborne led by six, 42-36. With 4:17 to go, Grainger had pulled to within three points. With just under two minutes remaining, Claiborne led by six, 51-45. The Grizzlies didn’t quit, and with 40.1 seconds left, they were down, 53-50. Grainger tied the game with less than 30 seconds left. Claiborne had the ball midcourt with 10 seconds remaining and, following a timeout, tried to get the ball inbounds. Grainger stole the pass and made the winning layup on the other end. The Grainger students in attendance then ran out on the court and had to be ushered off following the win. The final score was 55-53. Leading Claiborne in scoring was Ethan Cupp with 21. Tyler Myatt had 14, Jake Smith had seven, Evan Thomas had four, Cole Holt had three, and two others scored two points each, including Stephen Thomas and Vince Bolden. Grainger was led in scoring by Carter Williams with 19, Kade Williams had 13, and Drew Branson also scored in double figures with 11.
The Danny England Motors Player of the Game was Ethan Cupp. Congratulations Ethan!
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