SENIOR BROOK BARRETT SHOOTS AMID COVERAGE BY THE SALLEADING TURLOCK CHRISTIAN EAGLES. GAZETTE PHOTO BY JILL BALLINGER Although it’s been a mediocre season for the MCHS girls’ varsity basketball team, last Thursday evening offered a glimpse into the future that made it look a little brighter.

Freshman Khrissy Schellentrager led all Mariposa scorers in a 52-28 Southern Athletic League loss to league-leading Turlock Christian. The defeat dropped the Lady Grizzlies’ SAL mark to 6-7.

In just the first minute of the contest, senior guard Emily Darcy went down with an ankle injury and had to leave the court. She returned later in the quarter.

Senior Brook Barrett hit a short shot to tie the tilt at 2-2 early in the first quarter, but that was a close as Mariposa would get for the rest of the game.

Schellentrager canned a long 3-point set shot with 3:27 left in the first period to cut the Eagles’ expanding lead to 10-5, and after a Mariposa time out, she connected on a short jumper from the side of the key to bring the Lady Grizzlies closer, 12-7, with 1:40 remaining in the opening period. The Eagles would score again for a 14-7 advantage at the end of the first 8 minutes.

Turlock Christian’s defense began taking its toll on Mariposa’s offensive strategy, cutting off passing lanes and causing multiple turnovers in the second quarter.

Barrett hit a 3-point bomb at the 4:57 mark in the second stanza to cut TC’s lead to 16-10. Schellentrager grabbed a rebound and banked home a bucket with 1:09 left in the half to bring the Lady Grizzlies within 7 at 20-13, but Turlock Christian was completely controlling the offensive boards, getting two and three shots on every trip down the floor. With 18 seconds left in the half, the Eagles drained a 3-point shot for a 25-13 bulge at the intermission.

The Lady Grizzlies could still only score in the single digits in the second half, adding 7 points in the third quarter and 8 in the fourth for one of their lowest offensive outputs of the season. TC added another 27 points in the final two periods to stretch its lead

Schellentrager hit on 5 of 6 shots from the field, and bucketed 3 of 4 free throws. Barrett added 7 points, and Jin Anderson contributed 3. Darcy led Mariposa in rebounds with 7, and she chalked up 4 assists. Senior Patricia Schellentrager pulled down 4 caroms.

“Injuries have played a major role in our lack of success this season, but we have made some strides in the right direction. One thing I’m proud of is this team never quits,” said head coach Al Brondolo.

Mariposa took on arch-rival Le Grand on Tuesday evening. Those results can be found at www.mariposagazete.com

Thursday evening Mariposa travels to Denair for its final contest of the season.