PORUM — Both Gans High School basketball teams were playing for the consolation titles last Friday at the Cross Telephone Invitational Tournament.

The Lady Grizzlies and new coach Bobbie Wheat lost 71-30 to her former team, the Porum Lady Panthers, in last Wednesday’s openinground game, but they bounced back with a 3432 victory over Keota in last Thursday’s consolation semifinals.

The Lady Grizzlies were slated to face county and Riverside Conference rival Gore in last Friday morning’s consolation championship.

The road to the consolation finals was the same for the Grizzlies as they lost their first game 52-19 to Gore in last Wednesday’s opening round, but they responded with a 31-30 win over Keota in last Thursday’s consolation semifinals.

The Grizzlies were slated to meet either Weleetka or Midway in last Friday morning’s consolation title game.

In the girls’ loss to Porum, the Lady Panthers jumped out to a 13-5 lead after a quarter en route to a 38-9 halftime advantage to take control of the game.

In defeat, Skilynn Bird led the Lady Grizzlies (8-10) with 12 points, followed by Valan Harper with eight points, Nora Barnes with five points, Madi Pilkington with three points and Brighton Dorsey with two points.

In the girls’ win over Keota, the Lady Grizzlies rallied from a 15-9 halftime deficit by outscoring the Lady Lions 17-4 in the third quarter to take a 26-19 lead into the final period, where the Lady Lions made a valiant comeback that came up short.

For the game, Bird scored a game-high 20 points to lead Gans, followed by Harper with eight points and Barnes with six points.

In the boys’ loss to Gore, the Pirates put away the game early, jumping out to a 19-1 lead after a quarter and were never threatened.

In defeat, Eli Blackmon scored 11 points to lead the Grizzlies (313), followed by Austin Hines with four points and Jessie Phillips and Leland Locust with two points apiece.

In the boys’ victory over Keota, the Grizzlies, who trailed 21-13 at halftime, doubled the Lions 18-9 in the second half to get the comeback win.

For the game, Hines led Gans with 10 points, followed by Blackmon with seven points, Phillips and Preston Moore with six points each and Aiden Garcia with two points.

Editor’s Note: Look for the details about last Friday’s games in the Cross Telephone Invitational in next week’s edition.