JV GRIZZLY KEILY JOHNSON GETS SOME AIR ON HER WAY TO A 20- POINT. GAZETTE PHOTO JILL BALLINGER On last Thursday’s 42-23 Southern Athletic League win over Turlock Christian, paced by a 20-point game from sophomore Kiely Johnson, Mariposa’s junior varisty girls’ squad clinched at least share of the SAL title.

That set-up Tuesday night’s rubber match against Le Grand. Each team had won once in overtime, and the loss to the Bulldogs in the second round of SAL play has been Mariposa’s only defeat in league.

The results of Tuesday night’s contest can be found at www.mariposagazette. com.

Against the Eagles, the JVs bounced out to a 22-15 lead by the intermission, and kept the pressure on in the second half.

With 6:41 left in the third period, Jocelyn Barrington made a nice pass to Johnson in the paint, who whirled and layed in the bucket.

The Lady Grizzlies were moving the ball well on the perimeter, under the direction of veteran assistant coach and Athletic Director Loyd Hobby.

Johnson banged home a jumper from the top of the key with just 2:21 left in the quarter for a 32-20 Mariposa lead, and the Lady Grizzlies would add another bucket to take a 34-20 margin into the final period, 34-20.

Nicole Wanner found Brittany Binnewies inside for an easy lay-up with 4:20 left in the contest which boosted the Lady Grizzlies’ lead to 36-23.

Johnson finished the contest with a total of 20 points, most of those coming on the inside as she dominated the paint. Binnewies dumped in 6 points, Wanner, Sammy Chambers, and Amber Augustine each hit for 4 points. Binnewies led Mariposa in rebounds with 12.

The Lady Grizzlies will close out their successful JV season on the road at Denair Thursday night in their final SAL contest.