Grangeville beats Orofino for District 2A championship

Orofino High School Lady Maniacs traveled to Lewiston Thursday to meet the Grangeville Lady Bulldogs in the District 2A Championship basketball game, but came home with a loss.

Grangeville has been the No. 1 Division 2A team in the state to beat.

The Lady Maniacs kept up with the Lady Bulldogs for the first 2 1/2 minutes of the game. Then Grangeville showed everyone why they are No. 1. With their three point shooters, aggressiveness making steals and having the height underneath the baskets made for easy rebounds and two point shots when the Lady Maniacs were defending against the three pointers. The Lady Maniacs certainly had their hands full in the first half. They did start catching up towards the end of the first half when the Bulldog shooting cooled off. Halftime score Orofino 16 Grangeville 32.

In the third quarter, it was a different story as the Lady Maniacs outscored the Grangeville Bulldogs. Orofino came out of the locker with nine unanswered points before the Lady Bulldogs were able to score. By the end of the third, the Lady Maniacs had scored 11 points to Grangeville's 6 points. It was to no avail since in the fourth quarter Grangeville poured on their defense and offense and the Lady Maniacs were unable to keep up even though they worked really hard at it. The final for this one was Grangeville 62 and Orofino 43. Grangeville became the district champs.

Orofino will play Potlatch Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Lewiston High School's Booth Hall for second place and a berth at state playoffs next week in Middleton. Orofino has beaten Potlatch twice this year.

1. Cheerleaders prepare the fans before game time. 2. Jessica Roby shoots for two underneath the basket. 3&5. Pep Band is plays, cheering the team and fans before the game. 4. Ellen Rouse shoots a foul shot. 6. Capri Savage (left) shoots a foul shot while Roby watches the ball go in the basket. 7. Savage (left) and Ellen Rouse are foiled again on the rebound by Grangeville.