John Michaels
IVN Contributing Writer
The Illinois Valley High School girls basketball team got a win this last week, surpassing already the number of wins this year as they had all last year, but lost a nail biter later in the week to give them a 4-3 mark on the year.
On Thursday, the Lady Cougars traveled to Glendale and romped to a 51-33 victory over the Pirates.
Illinois Valley played stifling defense in the first half, surrendering just six points in the opening quarter and a pair of baskets in the second in taking a 26-10 lead into the intermission.
After the two squads basically traded baskets in the third quarter, Jadyn Grebisz got hot again in the final eight minute, scoring six of her game-high 23 points in the frame and the Cougars outran Glendale 14-11 in the period for the 51-33 non-league win.
“Evalynn (Guzman) was not feeling well,” said IVHS coach Jerry Walker. “She is normally our leading scorer, so we needed someone to step up. Jadyn was that person for us tonight.”
“We got some key contributions from other players as well. Evalynn still got 9 points and she will be even better. Jessame Pope is out athletic spark plug. She’s still adjusting to my style of play, but once she gets in sync with what I want to try to do, watch out.
We also got a lot of rebounds and some great defense from our freshman, Saray Mendoza. I think she probably had 12-15 rebounds. When we get these girls playing together, they will be on point. The league had better watch out.
While Grebisz led with 23 points and Guzman added 9, Pope and Emily Hall each added eight points for IVHS. Asia Davis found her way into the scorebook with a second quarter field goal and Mendoza added a single free throw in the first to close out the Cougars’ scoring.
On Friday, I.V. dropped a heartbreaker to St. Mary’s in Medford 48-44, for its third loss of the season. I.V.’s three losses have come by a total of 14 points, including a six-point overtime loss to 3A North Valley. One could argue that the Cougars are five flipped possessions from being undefeated.
IVHS played well in the first half against the Crusaders and took a 22-20 lead into the break. But a poor third quarter doomed the Cougars in the loss.
St. Mary’s outscored I.V. 17-8 in the third period to hold a 37-30 edge going into the final eight minutes.
Although Grebisz tried to rally the Lady Cougars in the final quarter, scoring 12 points in the frame, the only other I.V. player to score was Guzman, and the Crusaders held on for the 48-44 win.