SENIOR CODY PETERSON TAKES A SHOT IN THE GRIZZLIES’ FINAL WIN OF THE HILMAR CHRISTMAS CLASSIC LAST WEEKEND. GAZETTE PHOTO BY JILL BALLINGER For the second time in as many weeks, Mariposa’s varsity basketball team was 2-for-3 in tournament play. The Grizzlies took second place in the Hilmar Christmas Classic basketball tournament with the host Yellowjackets claiming title to their own tournament last weekend.

In their opening contest, Mariposa faced Bret Harte’s Bullfrogs and came away with a 63-55 win. The ‘Frogs took an early 16-13 lead in the first period, but Mariposa broke the game open with a 21-point second quarter for a 34-22 lead at the half.

For a change, Mariposa senior pivotman Cody Wichmann wasn’t the leading scoring, but according to head coach Trace DeSandres, “He had a monster game.” Wichmann dumped in 19 points while grabbing an incredible 20 rebounds.

Parker Shaddix led the Grizzlies in scoring with 21 points, including four 3-point buckets. Drake Long chipped in 8 points, and pulled down 13 caroms and senior point guard Jarrett Miller added 5 assists.

In their second-round contest, Mariposa faced tourament host Hilmar, and found it pretty tough sledding, 51-48.

The Yellowjackets bounced out to a 12-7 edge in the first quarter before the Grizzlies poured through 23 points in the second stanza for a 30- 24 bulge at the intermission.

Mariposa’s hot streak cooled considerably in the third quarter with the Grizzlies managing just 6 total points, all from Wichmann, while the ‘Jackets took the lead with 14 for a slim 38-36 advantage going into the final stanza.

The fourth quarter the teams matched goals, but Hilmar held its lead for the win.

Wichmann finished the game with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Shaddix hit for 11, Miller tossed in 8, and junior Kevin Shenk pulled down 6 boards. Senior Frankie Peña came off the bench to score 5 points, dish out 5 assists, and grab 4 rebounds.

The final game of the tournament on Saturday against Big Valley Christian wasn’t very competitive.

Marposa held a 29- 17 lead at the half, and pushed that margin to a 56-39 victory with 12 different Grizzlies getting into the scoring column and seeing plenty of court time.

Wichmann and Long both had 10 points, and 7 and 8 rebounds respectively. Anthony Peña added 8 points.

Mariposa, now 7-2 on the season, will travel to Orestimba next week for another tournament campaign on Dec. 28-29- 30.

On Saturday, Jan. 2, the Grizzlies will host Bret Harte in a noneague

tilt. The freshman game tips off at 3 p.m., followed by the

unior varsity at 4:30 p.m., and the varsity

at 6 p.m. Mariposa will open Southern Athletic League play at Denair on Jan. 5.