Granger eliminates King’s girls from 1A tourney

YAKIMA — Midway through Friday’s consolation game in the 1A state tournament, the King’s girls basketball team appeared headed to the trophy round with a six-point halftime lead.

But Granger outscored the Knights by 22 points in the second half and scored a 63-47 victory to eliminate the Knights (21-8).

The Spartans got to the free-throw line 19 times in the second half and made 15 attempts. Meanwhile, King’s was 1-for-4.

The Knights also went cold in the fourth quarter, shooting 1-for-8 from the field, and were outscored 25-11.

For the second straight game, King’s was beaten inside. Granger outscored the Knights 24-12 in the paint, although King’s won the rebound battle 46-38.

Andrea Berendsen, who was 4-for-6 on 3-point attempts, and Joclyn Kirton, who was 8-for-11 on free throws, led the Knights in scoring with 14 points apiece.

Italia Mengarelli, who was 13-for-17 from the line, and Fantasia Reyes each scored 22 points for Granger.

At the Yakima SunDome

Granger 14 11 13 25 — 63

King’s 17 14 5 11 — 47

Granger–Gunnier 2, Wapsheli 1, Mengarelli 22, Villa 2, John 2, Hull 0, Oswalt 12, Reyes 22. King’s–Shinn 0, McCormick 0, Berendsen 14, Rasmussen 3, Storkson 7, Adams 4, Fairley 0, Kirton 14, Hibbard 5. 3-point goals–Berendsen 4, Storkson 1, Mengarelli 1, Reyes 3. Records–Granger not reported. King’s 21-8 overall.