SENIOR CODY WICHMANN POWERS HIS WAY THROUGH THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS DEFENDERS DURING HIS FINAL GAME AS A GRIZZLY. GAZETTE PHOTO BY JILL BALLINGER Maybe is was erratic shooting or playoff game jitters. Possibly it was Mariposa’s soft Southern Athletic League schedule, or Christian Brothers’ daunting man-to-man defense. Regardless of the reason, the Falcons ended the Grizzlies’ stellar season in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs last Wednesday night in the MCHS gym, 49-47.

“I think we played pretty well defensively, but we just couldn’t hit shots,” said head coach Trace DeSandres.

League MVP Cody Wichmann, a 6’5” senior bound for Fresno State’s football program, was just 7 of 19 from the field, and senior starter Pierce Chaney dropped only 3 of 14 attempts.

Mariposa went in front early. With just over 2 minutes left in the first quarter, junior guard Jeremiah Baca took a feed from Frankie Peña for a lay-up to put the Grizzlies up, 11-5. The Falcons responded with a 3- point play, but still trailed, 11- 8, as the period ended.

In the second stanza, Christian Brothers’ in-your-face defense began taking its toll. With 2:26 left in the half, a short jumper lifted the Falcons to a 17-15 edge before a pair of charity tosses by Chaney knotted the score at 17-17.

As the quarter ended, Christian Brothers picked starting guard Jarrett Miller’s pocket for a steal and an uncontested lay-up to lead, 21-18, at the intermission.

The third period proved to be the Grizzlies’ collapse. Except for solo free throws by Wichmann and Chaney, Mariposa couldn’t score a field goal until midway through the quarter as the Falcons rolled up a 29-20 margin with 4:25 left.

After 6’7” junior Drake Long put back an offensive rebound, the Grizzlies trailed, 33-28, entering the final period.

Mariposa scratched and clawed its way back, and with 4:33 remaining in the game, Wichmann’s monster dunk brought the Grizzlies within 2 at 37-35.

The Falcons answered with a pair of buckets and pestered Mariposa with a half-court press to hold their lead.

At 1:24, Christian Brothers held a 47-39 advantage, and Mariposa resorted to fouling to slow the clock, gambling that the Falcons would miss at the free throw line. That strategy worked, to a point, but the Grizzlies ran out of seconds to end their season at 25-4.

“They (Christian Brothers) played really good defense,” DeSandres said. “Our kids play just as hard as it takes to win, and we went through so many weeks without a tough game that it made a difference. Christian Brothers had a dog fight every week, and we just didn’t rise to the occassion.”

“I think next season will be quite a bit tougher for us. Denair and Le Grand will be better, and with Ripon Christian coming into the league, it won’t be a cake walk,” DeSandres added. “I think the caliber of competition in the league is getting stronger, and that will make us better, and hopefully more prepared for the playoffs.”