Basin roundup: Late free throws spoil Big Bend's comeback bid
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Big Bend guard Callie Gronning puts up a shot against Wenatchee Valley.
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Big Bend forward Hailey Garrity tries to keep a handle on the ball while being guarded by Wenatchee Valley's Ashlynn Burgess.
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Big Bend guard Miranda Johnson has the ball knocked away by Wenatchee Valley's Sophia Hamilton (12).
MOSES LAKE — From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.
Big Bend shooting guard Callie Gronning swished a 3-pointer from the right wing to tie the score with Wenatchee Valley 78-78.
On the Knights’ ensuing possession, a full-court pass was ran down by 5-foot-3 point guard Zaria Jones. Jones gathered underneath the basket and was fouled with four seconds left in the game. She missed the first free throw, but buried the second in what would be the deciding point.
Big Bend’s last-second inbounds pass was stolen and Wenatchee Valley hit two more free throws to win 81-78.
“Unfortunately, had that kind of iffy call — I think — down there underneath the basket,” head coach Preston Wilks said. “That girl tends to flop and she flopped and they called it so that was tough luck for us.”
Big Bend struggled from the field in the first half and trailed 46-29 at halftime. That deficit ballooned to 23 points in the third quarter before the Vikings began to rally.
Gronning scored six straight points, Hailey Garrity hit from mid-range and Miranda Johnson split of pair of free throws to make the score 63-50 entering the fourth.
Consecutive drives by Leah Dougherty to start the fourth quarter trimmed the Wenatchee Valley lead to single digits, 67-58.
“It was hard because we fought back and then Wenatchee would get a lead again and then we’d have to fight back again,” Gronning said. “It was really cool to see my team — just the perseverance that we had and the determination we had to fight back.”
Big Bend continued to fight throughout the fourth quarter, outscoring Wenatchee Valley 28-18.
The Knights pushed their lead back to 10 points before Sunnie Martinez made a 3-pointer from the right wing and then was fouled on a 3-point attempt from the opposite wing. Martinez made all three free throws to bring the Vikings within four points.
Down 76-72, Johnson drove the lane and converted a three-point play. Jones made 2-of-2 free throws on the other end, which set up Gronning’s game-tying shot.
“We actually had drawn the play up for Sunnie and Sunnie realized that she was guarded and so she kicked it over to Callie and then Callie knocked it down,” Wilks said.
Wins will be at a premium as the NWAC East is the deepest region. The East has seven teams with nine or more wins; No other region has more than three.
“We knew coming into the game that it was going to be a tough game and we know that our region is one of the best regions and so I think tonight was just a little reminder that every game we have to show up for both halves, not just one half,” Gronning said.
Score by quarters
WV — 22 24 17 18 81
BB — 13 16 21 28 78
Scoring
Callie Gronning 21, Leah Dougherty 12, Miranda Johnson 11, Emily Allan 10, Sunnie Martinez 9, Hailey Garrity 7, Kelsey Foster 6, Sydney Bishop 2
Girls basketball
Almira/Coulee-Hartline 48, Wellpinit 45
WELLPINIT — Almira/Coulee-Hartline put together a furious comeback to beat Wellpinit 48-45.
ACH outscored Wellpinit 22-10 in the fourth quarter.
Tiffany Boutain scored 23 points and Gabi Isaak had 10.
Boys basketball
Almira/Coulee-Hartline 66, Wellpinit 58
WELLPINIT — Almira/Coulee-Hartline withstood a fourth-quarter rally by Wellpinit and won 66-58.
Maguire Isaak led the Warriors with 30 points and Gage Burchill scored 16.