CHAMPS!

Tigers dig deep to clip Cards in triple overtime

Photos by Amanda Louck-Booth

Grant 79, Big Rapids 77 - 3OT
In a classic regular  season finale taking the two frontrunners into 3 overtimes it was the Tigers who emerged victorious and came home with the CSAA Red crown.
And what a regular season it was. Grant sandwiched 2 mid season non conference losses with 2 10 game winning streaks, went undefeated in conference play and emerged as a powerhouse behind the tutelage of first year Coach Dan George. George, who returned to the bench after a stellar career that included coaching at Grace Bible College and being inducted into their Hall of Fame, has molded this squad into a formidable force on the court. A team that plays unselfishly, embracing his guidance and taking the court with confidence sans arrogane.
Coach George: "I haven't said much on social media about this adventure I've been on since June and a return to coaching basketball, this time at the high  school level. I'm so proud of these guys and the way they bought into our philosophy and culture this year. Tonight we played Big Rapids on their floor for the outright conference championship. We came into the game at 9-0 in the conference, 19-2 overall. Big Rapids was 8-1 in the conference. Our guys gutted out a 79-77 victory in triple overtime. My wife is still recovering."
Zaiden Phillips had a monster game as he dropped 31 on the Cardinals while Sincere Hatch hit for 22 and Ethan DeLong finished with 14. But this was a team win that featured crucial defensive stops throughout regulation and into 3 extra frames.
With a Championship in hand the Tigers now turn to District play being held at Forest Hills Eastern. On Wednesday they will face the winner of Tri County and Comstock Park.
Game time 5:30pm.