FIELD TWP- On a night when senior guard Helen Koch scored her 1,0000th career point, her Grizzlies teammates weren’t about to let Cherry spoil the party, coming through in the stretch to win a nailbiter 62-59.
After North Woods took a slim 21-18 lead in a lackluster first half by both squads, the action heated up in the second. Koch notched her fifth point of the night and 1,00th of her career with a free throw at the 14:22 mark, with officials stopping play momentarily for the celebration. Five minutes later Cherry tied the score at 35 all, but River Cheney responded with a long-range three to put the Grizzlies back on top. Another triple and a pair of charities by Brynn Chosa gave North Woods a 50-42 edge with five minutes to play, but the Tigers were back within one, 55-54, with three minutes remaining. Chosa stepped up with another three ball for a 58-54 lead, and after Talise Goodsky forced a Cherry turnover, Koch hit Chosa with a long pass for a fast break layup and a 60-54 lead with 2:14 remaining.
The Grizzlies may have caught a break while clinging to a 60-59 margin when Tatum Barto was whistled for a defensive foul. But a second official waved off the foul, ruling that Cherry had called a time out before it was called. Instead of going to the line with a chance to tie or take the lead, Cherry had to inbound the ball, and after a three-point attempt clanged off the rim Cherry knocked the rebound out of bounds. Koch took the inbound pass and was immediately fouled with only two seconds remaining, and she calmly sank both charities. A desperation three-quarter court heave by Cherry for the tie fell far short of the mark, giving the Grizzlies the narrow three-point win.
“I’m so proud of this team,” Koch said after the game. “We just stayed in control the best we could and just worked hard. We had the drive and we really wanted it.”
Koch said there were some nerves in the first half, both in pursuing the milestone and in going against a tough Cherry defense. But the senior leader was as eager to talk about her teammates as she was about scoring 1,000 points.
“They’re just so fun to play with,” she said. “Most of us have a good attitude all the time, so it’s fun to be a leader on this team and play with these girls. Our defensive work has gotten a lot better over the season, and our offense is moving all around. I can see the improvement and I think we’re on the right track for the playoffs.”
Grizzlies Assistant Coach Becca Bundy has watched Koch’s career blossom since eighth grade and had high praise for her development.
“The girls can look to her to find her anywhere as the leader on the court, picking them up and encouraging them, recognizing who needs to be built up if they’re having a bad game or a bad day. She’s just an all-around good leader. This was an amazing milestone for her career, so everybody’s excited.”
Bundy, who filled in for Head Coach Liz Cheney on the bench Tuesday, wasn’t left entirely on her own. “Coach Liz was texting back and forth and giving her input, so it was good,” Bundy said.
Bundy backed away from an initial full court press after Cherry proved adept at breaking it, but later employed both a full and half-court press to take some time off the clock.
The Grizzlies picked up their fourth win in five games, a good sign as the Grizzlies enter the final stretch of the regular season, Bundy said.
Deer River/Hill City
The Grizzlies completed a marathon four games in five days last week with wins over Deer River, 68-66 on Thursday and over Hill City/Northland, 74-49 on Friday.
The Grizzlies got off to a fast start against Deer River, going up 20-12, and took a seven point 33-26 lead into halftime. But the Warriors made some adjustments during the break that propelled them to a 35-35 tie with about three minutes elapsed in the second stanza.
After the lead changed hands several times, North Woods went back on top until the Warriors tied it again at 49 with 7:33 remaining. The Grizzlies went on an 8-0 run, but Deer River knotted the score again and grabbed a 66-62 lead with 1:06 remaining.
Tatum Barto was fouled on a putback of a missed three-pointer and hit the free throw to get the Grizzlies within one at 66-65. With 34 seconds left, Deer River squandered four free throw opportunities in six seconds, opening the door for the Grizzlies. North Woods went down low to Cheney for the bucket and the lead with 19 seconds on the clock. Deer River missed on a drive into the lane, and in the scrum for the rebound Cheney tied up a Deer River player for a jump ball, and North Woods had the possession arrow pointing in their favor. Cheney was fouled on the inbounds play and made one of two free throws with 1.2 seconds left, to clinch the win. Cheney led the Grizzlies in scoring with 19 points, Barto hit for 16, and Koch had 14.
The Grizzlies never trailed in their road win against Hill City/Northland on Friday. North Woods had a comfortable 38-22 lead at the break, and cruised to a 74-49 win.
Ten Grizzlies scored in the contest, led by Cheney’s 21 points. Chosa stepped up with 16, and Koch had 13.
North Woods’ final home game of the season was scheduled for Thursday against winless Fond du Lac. The Grizzlies’ road slate to finish out the regular season includes matchups against Mesabi East, Greenway, Ely, and Littlefork-Big Falls.