TRUE GRIT

TRUE GRIT

Rematch against North propels team to state

         The whole season was about overcoming adversity for the team. It was all about belief in themselves. The Dragons were not a top 10 4A team yet here they were, going into overtime against the Des Moines North Polar Bears in the substate finals tied 71-71.

          The North game was a rematch from earlier in the year, in which the Dragons lost 68-72 by blowing an eight-point lead in the final three minutes. “After gaining a nine-point lead we were outscored 17-4 the last three minutes which was very disappointing, but it also motivated us to improve in some areas,” head coach Bobby Sandquist said. “We knew at that point that there was a chance we may play them again in either sub-state or state tournament action.”
          The players were not ready for the length of the North press, yet the loss was not the main concern. “Our biggest concern was the injury to Peyton (Williams),” Sandquist said. Williams injured his shoulder in the opening moments against North and never returned, missing two games.
          After a two-game skid in the middle of the season, the boys hit full form reeling off nine wins in a row including beating the No. 1 team at the time DSM Hoover. This all culminated in the rematch with DSM North.
          The atmosphere of the game was electric; no lead felt safe. The boys were ahead by a small margin for most of the game, with a lead of 65-61 with 3:32 left in the fourth quarter. North tied up the game with 14.1 seconds left when North sophomore Tyreke Locure stole an inbounds pass and scored putting DSM North up two with nine seconds left. He then fouled senior Boston Grimes who then calmly made two free throws to send it into overtime.
          Grimes then proceeded to obliterate North. He hit two straight threes in overtime to give Johnston a permanent lead. “I wasn’t really thinking about going in and doing what I did, all I wanted to do was win and get another game with my guys,” Grimes said. “But the ball found me a lot in that game and my shots were falling so that’s always good,” The point guard finished the game with 35 points and six threes.
          Grimes will never forget the year the team had. “Means a lot, we met a lot of goals and made some good memories I’ll cherish forever. The Waukee loss (first round of state) seemed like it would take away some glory, but we got back to the Well. We played hard and this team is full of gritty guys who will do whatever it takes to win.”
          Coach Sandquist agreed. “This team epitomized toughness, togetherness and teamwork. Most importantly this team possessed great team chemistry, un-withering character, belief in each other, and an everyday yeoman’s work ethic.”