Excelsior Springs couldn’t overcome a 29-point first quarter by Winnetonka on Jan. 11, when the Tigers fell to the Griffins 77-59 in varsity girls basketball. But the Tigers tried to do so. More than once. Trailing by 14 after the opening quarter, Excelsior Springs began chipping away at the deficit early in the second quarter. The Tigers edged the Griffins 14-13 for the quarter to trail by 13 (42-29) at halftime. Repeatedly, Excelsior Springs made it a 10-point ballgame during the third quarter. The Tigers were down by 10 (60-50) at quarter’s end. The Griffins outscored the Tigers 17-9 the fourth quarter to secure the Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference-Blue Division victory. Had overall field goal percentage been the deciding factor, the Tigers would’ve won. They shot 48.1 percent from the field, compared to 36.6 percent by the Griffins. Winnetonka, however, compensated with three-point shooting. The Griffins dropped in nine treys. Turnovers also were key. Excelsior…