Talented Northridge Grizzlies roll past Niwot girls

The 7-1 Northridge Grizzlies girls basketball team came down to Niwot on Saturday, Feb. 20 to face the 0-8 Cougars. An upset in the 4A Longs Peak League did not occur as the Grizzlies defeated Niwot, 66-22.

While Niwot was already facing an uphill battle, the absence of senior MacKenzie Demmel made the challenge even more difficult. To make matters worse, sophomore Addy Ruth exited with a lower-leg injury less than one minute into the game. Demmel and Ruth combined have accounted for just under one-third of Niwot's scoring and rebounding totals this season.

Northridge took advantage of a depleted Cougar team early as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead. Head coach Terri Ward promptly called a timeout but Northridge had already done its damage.

"Considering the hand we were dealt and played with once Addy went down, that was tough," Ward said. "They're tall and big and they're athletic and that's probably the best team in the league."

Ward's Cougars were simply outmatched and fell behind 25-2 after the first quarter. Niwot found a little offense in the second quarter but still trailed 43-7 at the half.

Junior Sophie Gebhardt, however, confirmed her knack of shining against strong opponents. She finished with a career-high 11 points to top her season-best five points against the now 8-1 Roosevelt Roughriders on Feb. 5. With the length of Ruth and Demmel gone, Gebhardt also tied her career-best three blocks.

"Sophie played well tonight, having to take over," Ward said. "But I think everybody worked really, really hard and didn't get their heads down."

In the second half, Northridge maintained its control of nearly all facets of the game. Niwot found some life from the three-point line with makes from junior Rachel Noble and sophomore Emily Damek but it wasn't enough to make a significant dent in the deficit. Although Ward said she was pleased with the second half offense, she harped on the need to take more shots when they're available.

"I think there are times when we leave at least 20 points in our hands because we don't shoot," Ward said. "We just don't shoot when we have an opportunity and then it turns into a turnover or a missed opportunity."

Northridge displayed little hesitation pulling the trigger as they shot a season-high 48%. Four Grizzlies scored over seven points on the afternoon.

Saturday's game also featured a small scattering of family in the stands. Meleah Spencer, mother of senior Adeline Spencer, was grateful to watch her daughter as Niwot will have just four more home games.

"It's really great to be in person so we can cheer and they can hear us," Spencer said. "The excitement that we have for them is better than being at home (where) they don't know we're watching. It's been really fun to be here and watch it live."

Niwot will continue its homestand on Feb. 23 against Berthoud before facing Frederick on Feb. 25 at 5 p.m.