Written by Blake Walker, Varsity Bound
It’s no secret head coach Brandon Sharp for Grinnell knows his way around first-round playoffs games. Last year, in his first year with the Tigers, Sharp and his team took down higher-seeded Knoxville in the first round to advance in the 3A postseason. Tonight, he did it again. This time, Grinnell went on the road and was able to defeat #3 seeded Clear Creek Amana on the road in a tight affair.
Earlier this season, these two teams met in the exact same spot with the same surprising outcome. Senior Brooks Latimer knocked down a game-winning three-pointer to send the Tigers past the Clipper, 65-62. CCA would then turn around and win 12 games in a row before their next loss. Grinnell on the other hand would lose 7 out of 9 games. Polar opposites. Coming into tonight, CCA had a solid 17-5 record with their eyes set on a second straight State Tournament appearance. The Tigers though, with an 8-13 record, looked to snag yet another first-round upset.
Grinnell controlled most of the first half behind senior Cole McGriff and A.J Wilkins. Both were able to pick up buckets throughout. The Clippers were stumped by Grinnell’s slow, particular offense where they average around 30+ seconds per possession. It was this, and good passing, that kept Grinnell out front with a 32-24 lead at halftime.
Clear Creek Amana wouldn’t back down though in the second half as junior, Kyle Schrepfer was able to knock down a couple of crucial fast-break points to bring the Clippers within five. Everything CCA did, Grinnell seemed to have an answer for as senior Trey Golhmann really helped them off the bench with big points in the paint down the stretch. Grinnell led by 10 going into the fourth quarter but the Clippers kept their foot on the gas as they rallied back to a 2 point deficit at one point behind senior, Ryan Navara, 55-53. But once again, Cole McGriff stepped up big with a couple of threes late to help Grinnell pull away and score the victory. Both teams almost doubled their quarter scoring outputs per quarter with 24 points for Grinnell and 23 for CCA in the fourth.
While it’s a tough loss for Brandon Clubb and his squad, the Clippers will be back next year with more youth, and some very talented senior leadership with Kyle Schrepfer leading the way. There is no doubt in my mind CCA will be at the top of the WaMac again. As for Grinnell, their season will continue forward as they head to Washington on Thursday night to take on the Demons at 7:00. The winner will play either Pella or Newton in the substate final.