January 3, 2004

Grizz rally past Eagle Point

By Jennifer Squires
Ashland Daily Tidings

The Ashland High girls' basketball team (9-1) couldn't put together four good quarters of basketball Friday night against Eagle Point High. In fact, the Grizzlies couldn't muster one good quarter.

But give the team an overtime period and watch the Grizz fly.

"We were down by 13 in the fourth quarter and made a great comeback, led by Alysse Carlson, who had several threes and also hit the jumper that tied the game at 48 to put it into overtime," Grizz head coach Steve Humann explained. "And that shot, that shot pounded into the basket. She had a great shooting night. She had great confidence all night."

With one bonus period, the Grizzlies blanked the Eagles 8-0 en route to a 56-48 victory in Eagle Point to open Southern Oregon Conference play.

"We did not play very well the first four quarters but we did get great contributions from everyone," Humann said. "It was a very difficult game. Once we got into the overtime, momentum changed quite a bit and we became the Ashland team that I know. It was a true team victory"

Ashland struggled defensively throughout much of the game, but rallied behind Carlson's 28 points.

"We ran a step slow on defense. I'm not making excuses, but we just didn't play very well until the overtime," Humann explained. "We played four games in five days. That's a lot."

Ashley Curtis paced Eagle Point with 20 points.

The Grizzlies will rest over the weekend before taking on Klamath Union on Tuesday in the Mountain Avenue gym as SOC play gets into full swing.

"Fortunately, we're at home, so we should be rested," Humann said. "Klamath Falls, they were very well coached last year and in our league, you cannot take anybody lightly."