SOPHOMORE GARHETT BAUER (NO. 23) LAYS IN 2 OF HIS TEAM-HIGH 10 POINTS IN A THRILLER AGAINST BRET HARTE ON SATURDAY NIGHT. THE JUNIOR VARSITY GRIZZLIES BEAT THE BULLFROGS FOR THE SECOND OF THREE TRIES THIS SEASON. It wasn’t easy Tuesday night in Denair, but Mariposa’s junior varisty basketball squad pulled out a slender 58-57 win over the Coyotes in their first Southern Athletic League test.

“We tried to give it away, but we were pretty lucky to take this one,” said head JV coach Mark Abney. “There’s definitely some things for us to work on. League isn’t going to be a picnic. We’re going to have our work cut out for us.”

The Coyotes vaulted to a 21-14 first period lead before the Grizzlies tightened the defensive clamp and held Denair to just 4 points in the second stanza while pouring in 15 of their own. That left the young Grizzlies with a 29-25 advantage at the intermission.

Mariposa would open as much as an 8-point lead in the second half, but had to struggle to hold onto the advantage.

Quinn Chaney led Mariposa with 12 points, dumping in 10 in the first half alone. Jimmy Neri and Raymond Epps both had 10 points, and Garhett Bauer hit for 9 points and pulled down 8 rebounds. Yussif Sulaiman posted 5 points and 5 rebounds in relieving starting point guard Wyatt Ellis, who was slowed with a sprained ankle.

Last Saturday Mariposa hosted Bret Harte in the rubber match for the two teams. The Bullfrogs held a 15-12 edge at the half after Mariposa would manage just 5 points in the opening period.

Mariposa would open up a 28-20 margin going into the fourth quarter, but struggled to stay ahead and Bret Harte’s last-second 3- point attempt missed the rim.

Bauer led Mariposa with 10 points, and Ellis issued 10 assists and grabbed 10 rebounds. Tim DeSandres contributed 6 points, and Chaney added 7.

Earlier in the week, Mariposa polished off Gustine, 63-32, in the Orestimba tournament to finished that competition with an unblemished record.

The Grizzlies will tangle with Turlock Christian Friday night in their second SAL match.

GAZETTE PHOTO BY JILL BALLINGER