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SUNNYSIDE -- The Grandview boys just missed a trip to the 2A state tournament.
The Greyhounds nearly erased an eight-point deficit in the final 90 seconds against Toppenish, but Josh Bertsch's apparent tying 3 at the buzzer was ruled to have been just a two-pointer, and Grandview fell 52-51 in the winner-to-state game.
The Greyhounds (14-9) led 25-12 midway through the second quarter before Toppenish (14-11) scored 23 unanswered points to take control.
The Wildcats led 37-31 after three quarters and 44-36 after two free throws by Ramon Ramirez with 1:29 to play.
But the Hounds refused to die. Rogi Fajardo hit two 3s, Jericho Ramos another, and after a layin by Joseph Babcock, they were within 51-49 with 18.8 seconds left.
Ramirez hit a free throw but missed the second, and a Hounds turnover seemed to seal matters with 7.9 seconds left. But Fajardo knifed in to jar the ball to Bertsch, who dribbled down the left sideline, pulled up at the 3-point line and banked in a shot at the buzzer.
Two officials wasted no time in walking toward the scorer's table holding up two fingers, signifying Bertsch's foot had been on the line and the game was over -- to the amazement of the Hounds and their supporters.
"I couldn't see it, but even if it was (a 2), it was an emotional play," said first-year coach Roy Garcia, his eyes red from crying moments earlier. "Grandview basketball is a family tradition. These kids give me the honor of coaching them. I would fight and scratch to give them what they wanted."
What they'd wanted was a return to state after a one-year absence, but it wasn't to be despite Fajardo's game-high 19 points. Ramirez led Toppenish with 18.
Quincy (16-7) captured its first-ever CWAC district title with a 67-55 win over regular-season champion Wapato (16-6).
TOPPENISH (52)
Ramon Ramirez 18, Peters 3, Schutz 6, Ro.Ramirez 13, Aguilar 6, Sanchez 4, Mesplie, S.Sanchez, Gawhega, Beard 2. Totals 17-45 16-22 52.
GRANDVIEW (51)
Rogi Fajardo 19, Bertsch 4, Schrank 2, Rodriguez 6, Babcock 6, Reyes 9, Newhouse 2, Magaa, Ramos 3, Hernandez, Vela. Totals 19-51 7-13 51.
Toppenish 10 18 9 15 -- 52
Grandview 14 11 6 20 -- 51
Highlights -- Top 2x9 3pt, Gv 6x23; Top 34 rbs, Gv 30; Top 21 TOs, Gv 19; Josh Schutz 9 rbs, 5 asts; Ra.Ramirez 7 rbs; Roman Ramirez 7 stls; Christian Schrank 8 rbs, 3 asts; Adrian Reyes 4 stls; Fajardo 3 asts; Eric Rodriguez 3 asts.
