Northside survived a major scare from Southside as the Grizzlies now get to enjoy a week off.

The Grizzlies used a 19-2 second-half run to eventually pull away from the Mavericks, as Northside wrapped up the No. 2 seed from the 7A-Central as well as an opening-round bye at next week's 7A State Tournament with a 93-64 win Friday at the Stubblefield Center.

Northside (20-7, 11-3) won't play again until next Friday, when the Grizzlies will play in the 7A quarterfinals at Van Buren. The Grizzlies will play at 8:30 p.m. next Friday.

Early on, it appeared as if the Grizzlies were going to make quick work of Southside as Northside jumped out to a 13-3 lead. But the Mavs weathered the early storm, and were able to go in front during the second quarter.

Both teams then dueled for the lead the rest of the first half, but at halftime, the score was tied at 35-all. Southside then started the second half by taking an early three-point advantage.

But Northside regained the lead, and a pair of 3-pointers from DeMichael Whitfield gave the Grizzlies a six-point lead, 51-45, late in the third.

Southside (7-19, 2-12) answered with a basket to cut it to a four-point game. But from there, it was all Northside.

Tre Norwood and Tevin Brewer hit back-to-back 3s, then Norwood came up with a steal and fed Brewer for a driving shot with time running out in the third, as Northside extended its lead to 12, 59-47.

Whitfield opened the fourth by nailing another 3, and Brewer finished off the 19-2 surge with another basket as the Grizzlies built a 70-49 advantage with approximately six minutes left.

Junior Isaiah Joe then helped Northside add to its lead as he hit four 3s in the final quarter, the latter giving Northside a 29-point margin, 88-59, with less than two minutes left.

Brewer finished the game with 37 points, and also made three 3s. Joe added 19 points to go with his four 3s, and Whitfield had 16 points, making four 3s as well.

The Grizzlies hit 13 3-pointers in the win.
