By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.– The third quarter was the deciding factor in the game versus McKay and McMinnville Tuesday night in the Greater Valley Conference match-up in Salem.

Behind fouls, out rebounding and turnovers, the Grizzlies used a 27-9 run, and 50-21 in the second half, to win 85-54.

“We didn’t come out hard or aggressive that we should have,” said Josiah Castillo on the third quarter.  “Our press wasn’t really good.”

Down eight to McMinnville early in the second quarter, and looking for a spark to get it going, Castillo came up with the play.

Not once, not twice but with three three-pointers, Castillo’s Men were on a 10-0 run and turned a eight-point deficit into a two-point lead.

Behind a 8-4 advantage however, the Grizzlies answered and held a two-point lead entering halftime, 35-33.

“It was good,I was feeling it so I was just letting it go and we just got back into the game, then start of the third quarter, it went downhill,” said Castillo.  “We just have to come out hard with our press, just keep working hard and keep playing hard.”

What happened to start the third for the Scots were six quick fouls in the opening five minutes of the half to go with turnovers and McMinnville beating them to the rebound; McKay quickly found themselves down 54-40 with momentum in full control for the Grizzlies.

By the end of the third quarter, it was 62-44 in favor of McMinnville as they kept up their pace into the fourth quarter for the win.

Now the Scots look to rebound versus McNary Friday night.  The Celtics outdualed West Salem that saw the Titans make 15 three-pointers.

“We just have to get after it at practice tomorrow and work hard,” said Castillo on how they can improve for McNary.

PHOTO GALLERY (PICTURES BY JEREMY MCDONALD)

Jeremy McDonald is a professional sports journalist in the Salem/Portland area and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalist in Oregon with B.S. degrees from Southern Oregon University in Journalism (2011) and Health/PE (2013).  Got a story idea? Email him at jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com or on Twitter at @J_McDonald81!

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