Ash Grove Pirates fall to Billings in away contest

Pirates take fifth in Walnut Grove Holiday Classic tournament; Lady Pirates get week off

The Ash Grove High School boys’ basketball team finished up with the Walnut Grove Holiday Classic and then went to Billings last week.
On Friday, Jan. 3, the Pirates traveled to Billings but lost to the Wildcats, 63-41.
Ash Grove trailed by just four points, 17-13 at the end of the first quarter but a 19-point second quarter led to a 36-21 halftime deficit. Both teams scored 14 points each in the third quarter, but once again Billings outscored the Pirates in the fourth quarter, 13-6, to get the win.
“This was one of those games where you just can’t get any shots to fall,” said head coach Grant Williamson. “I felt like we played pretty solid, but at the end of the day shooting is the ultimate skill and Billings just shot it better than us tonight. We will bounce back and look forward to our first official home game next Friday against MCE.”
Jaden Hance led Ash Grove with 14 points.
Earlier in the week, the Pirates played for fifth place in the Walnut Grove Holiday Classic at Walnut Grove on Monday, Dec. 30, beating Hollister, 66-64.
The Pirates led 15-10 after the first quarter but Hollister outscored Ash Grove 17-14 in the second quarter to go into the half trailing, 29-27. The two teams would match points the rest of the way, with both schools scoring 22 points each in the third quarter and 15 points each in the fourth quarter, giving Ash Grove the two-point victory and fifth place.
“Any time you can go to a tournament and come out with three wins is a major positive,” said Williamson. “Some people questioned our seed when the brackets came out, but our guys defended that seed, taking fifth place, and proved those people wrong in the process.” 
Easton Rust paced the Pirates with 24 points, Dylan Gray added 16 points, and Kyler Reece ended the game with 11 points.
Ash Grove is now 7-5 on the season and are scheduled to host Marion C. Early Friday night.
The Lady Pirates did not play last week and are currently 7-3 on the season. Ash Grove was scheduled to host Chadwick on Monday night.