(Griswold, IA) – While down in all three quarters, the Tigers came into the fourth quarter with the poise and energy that they were looking for all game long. Trojan Qwintyn Vanatta who was the game-leader, fouled out early in the fourth quarter which helped Griswold gain their stretch back against Essex. The Tigers were able to come back from a 44-40 deficit after the third quarter and put down 17 fourth-quarter points while allowing Essex just four to take the 57-48 victory. Head coach Matt Spunaungle was proud of his boys for being able to pull themselves back in the game while sharing the basketball evenly among one another.
Leading in the game for Essex was Qwintyn Vanatta with 18 points on the night and could’ve been much more if he hadn’t fouled out early in the fourth quarter. Tony Racine was right behind him with 12 points as he had eight points in the first half alone. Wade Sholes sat right with his brother Isiah Sholes with six and five points respectively. Kaden Buick played a great defensive role while he also put down three points. Finishing off scoring was Johnny Resh and Kaden Peeler with two points apiece.
For Griswold, they were led by three players on the night. Bode Wyman, Peyton Cook, and Hogan Hook all knocked down 14 points each in the game and all led the Tigers. Zane Johnson played well on the floor while keeping up the ball movement with 10 points on the night. Brayden Lockwood and Calden Turner finished off scoring with two points each. Coach Spunaungle was proud of his three leading scorers as that shows how he wants his boys to go out and play every night.
Griswold was able to break their two-game losing streak on Friday night as they look to next week for a tough battle against Shenandoah. This win helped to show the Tigers the importance of sharing the basketball and ball movement on the floor.
The Tigers will take on Shenandoah this upcoming Thursday, January 11th on the road at 7:30 p.m.
(Click below to listen to this article)
