Pirates compete in Spokane Tournament with mixed results
Brady Nicholson rises up for the tough fadeaway against the Blue Eye defense in the Spokane Invitational’s third-place game on Saturday, Jan. 20. Nicholson made the all-tournament team.
Pirate Kyler Reece pump fakes the defense into the air before going up for the shot.
Asher Rust takes the three-point shot after the skip pass. Ash Grove was down by double digits until the fourth quarter, when the Pirates brought the game within one possession before missing the game-tying shot. The final score was 63-66. (Photos by Ethan Gray)
Both the Ash Grove boys’ and girls’ teams competed in tournaments last week, as the boys traveled to Spokane and the girls made trips to Marionville.
On Saturday, Jan. 20, the Pirates fell in a close game to Blue Eye, 66-63.
Blue Eye jumped out to a 19-15 lead after the first quarter and increased that lead to 26-20 by the half. In the third quarter, the Pirates hit for 21 points, but Blue Eye answered with 24 points to make the lead, 50-41. Ash Grove outscored Blue Eye in the fourth quarter, 22-16, but it would not be enough as they lost by three points.
Bryce Davis led Ash Grove with 21 points, Asher Rust added 15 points and Kyler Reece and Brady Nicholson each finished the game with 10 points.
On Thursday, Jan. 18, the Pirates lost to Greenwood, 71-47 in the semifinals of the tournament.
Greenwood started the scoring early, as they ran out to a 21-7 first quarter lead. Greenwood would add to their lead, putting up 24 points in the second quarter to take a 45-18 advantage into the half. In the second half, the Pirates found their shooting touch, scoring 14 points in the third quarter and 15 points in the fourth quarter.
Nicholson led Ash Grove with 17 points and Rust added 16 points in the loss.
The Pirates opened the tournament against Southwest (Washburn) on Wednesday, Jan. 17, and came away with a 30-point, 77-47 victory.
Ash Grove ran out to an early 28-9 first quarter lead and increased that lead to 48-20 by halftime. Ash Grove added another 29 points in the second half to pull out the victory. Nicholson paced Ash Grove with an impressive 43 points.
“Our guys played really well on the defensive end and paired it with some great shooting,” said Ash Grove head coach Grant Wiliamson. “Hopefully we can keep that momentum going down this home stretch of the season.”
The Pirates are now 10-7 on the season and were scheduled to play at Lockwood on Monday night before hosting Pierce City on Friday night.
Lady Pirates travel to Marionville Tournament, for losses, receive forfeit win over Spokane Lady Owls
The Lady Pirates played Crane in the annual Marionville Lady Comet Classic on Saturday, Jan 20, but lost 61-37.
Crane led 19-5 after the first quarter and 30-17 at the half. Ash Grove was able to put up 12 points in the third quarter, but Crane countered with 21 points to increase their lead to 51-29. The Lady Pirates scored eight points in the fourth quarter.
Millison Sapp led Ash Grove with eight points in the loss.
The Lady Pirates opened the tournament against host Marionville on Thursday, Jan. 18 and lost by eight points, 43-35.
Marionville led 15-13 after the first quarter and 20-19 at the half. The Lady Pirates only managed two points in the third quarter and saw their one-point deficit increase, as the Lady Comets scored 16 points to increase their lead to 36-21. Ash Grove scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to make the game a little closer before it ended.
Sapp led Ash Grove with 15 points.
The Lady Pirates got a forfeit win over Spokane on Friday, Jan. 19.
Ash Grove is now 8-8 on the season and were scheduled to play at Lockwood on Monday night and then will host Pierce City tomorrow night.
Category:
Lawrence County Record
312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com
