GRIZZLY SENIOR PIERCE CHANEY RAN ROUGHSHOD OVER LE GRAND’S DEFENSE LAST THURSDAY NIGHT, FINISHING THE GAME WITH 20 POINTS AND 10 REBOUNDS. GAZETTE PHOTO BY JILL BALLINGER Mariposa head varsity basketball coach Trace De- Sandres has a problem, but it’s one he relishes. DeSandres doesn’t know from game-to-game which player is going to step up.

“It seems like every game we’re getting solid performance from different kids, and it’s really nice to see,” De- Sandres said.

Last Thursday against Le Grand in a make-up contest, senior Pierce Chaney consistently punctured the Bulldogs’ defense and finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies to a 55-35 SAL win.

The following evening at Waterford, junior Drake Long poured in 14 points and grabbed 7 rebounds as Mariposa cruised to its fourth straight league win, 69-45.

A close 16-14 first quarter on the Wildcats’ home court quickly turned into a second period rout when Mariposa rattled the net for 20 points and held Waterford to just 6.

The Grizzlies took a 49-35 lead into the fourth quarter, and pumped in another 20 points to spread the margin.

Senior center Cody Wichmann had 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Chaney contributed 11 points and hauled in 11 boards, and senior guard Parker Shaddix hit a pair of 3-point shots en route to a 10-point game.

“Drake played really well for us,” DeSandres said. “He worked for clean shots and went to the glass strong.”

Last Thursday in the make-up game against Le Grand, the Bulldogs opened the contest with a 3-point bomb, but that was the only time they would lead, although they did tie it once at 11-11 in the first quarter.

Mariposa held a 15-11 margin at the end of the first period, the Chaney poured through 8 of those points.

When speedy junior guard Jeremiah Baca scored on a fast break, Mariposa held a 25-13 lead with 2:27 left in the half. After Chaney’s layup rolled through the net at the intermission buzzer, the Grizzlies were in front, 29- 16.

The Grizzlies’ towering front line dominated the boards and with just 20 seconds left in the third period, Long grabbed the Grizzlies’ fourth straight offensive rebound during the same play and banked in a lay-up for a 43-22 Mariposa lead going into the final quarter.

Baca stole the ball and flipped in a bucket with 5:35 left in the game to stretch the lead to 21 points, 47-26.

Chaney polished off his offensive effort with a slick move for an easy lay-up and a 53-30 Mariposa lead just before DeSandres emptied the bench with 3:18 still left on the clock.

“Chaney was huge for us,” DeSandres said. “He’s been coming on strong since league play started, and Baca had a good game. His quickness will help us down the stretch.”

For the game, Wichmann pitched in 10 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Long added 8 points and pounded the boards for 9 caroms, and senior point guard Jarrett Miller added 7 points with 6 assists.

Mariposa traveled to Delhi Wednesday evening. Look for the results at www.mariposagazette.com