Grizzly freshmen sweep two to start new year

It was the Christmas present the Rocky Mountain freshmen were hoping for as Mason Moss returned to the lineup this week after sitting out several weeks with a hip injury suffered during football season.

Moss helped the Grizzlies in multiple areas as they opened the new year by crushing Greybull on the road Monday, 49-25, then walloped Burlington at home Tuesday evening, 42-28.

Monday in Greybull, the Grizzlies produced consistent scoring that saw them outscore the home team 12-8 in the first quarter, 12-5 in the second and 19-5 in the third to lead 43-18, then cruising to the win in the fourth.

The one-two punch of Moss and Cooper Winland outscored Greybull by themselves as Moss finished with 16 points, Winland 15. Jaxon Hayes chipped in with 8 points, and Evin Clendenen added 6 points, Cooper Ward 2. Moss led the team with 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocked shots. Winland also blocked a trio of shots and snared seven rebounds, along with Clendenen.

“Our freshman basketball season is in full swing now,” coach Taylor Winland said. “These boys put in a lot of time during winter break practices, and it showed. We came out against Greybull a little slow, but after the first quarter, we found our groove. I was really pleased with our defense, holding Greybull to single-digit quarters. 

“It was a great game by all the boys, and I was happy for Mason to see the court after dealing with an injury.”

Tuesday evening at home, the Grizzlies jumped on Burlington early, outscoring the Huskies 12-3 in the first quarter as Winland hit three buckets. A 10-6 second-quarter advantage left the Grizz up 22-9, and a similar 13-3 score in the third saw the Grizzlies lead 35-12 after three. Burlington won the fourth 16-7, but it was far too little, too late.

Moss finished with 14 points, Winland 12 and Clendenen 9. Hayes, Kreegan Jones and Ward added 2 points each, Leland Hetland 1. Moss led the team with seven rebounds, four assists (with Winland), three steals (with Hayes and Ward) and three blocked shots. Winland snared six caroms, Ward and Clendenen four apiece.

“We came out swinging,” Coach Winland said. “The boys brought great energy and played relentless defense the whole game. We also held Burlington to single-digit quarters except the fourth. It will be fun to coach these guys and watch them progress over the season.”

Next up for the Rocky freshmen is a short road trip to Lovell Monday at 6:15 p.m.