District play starts this week for area basketballers

The Ash Grove High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams picked up two more wins as they closed out their regular season and now get ready for the postseason.
The Pirates traveled to Buffalo to conclude their regular season campaign on Thursday, Feb. 15, and came home with a hard fought, 56-48 win.
Ash Grove trailed Buffalo, 18-14 after the first quarter but then clamped down on defense in the second quarter, allowing just five points, while putting up 15 points to take a 29-23 lead into halftime. Buffalo outscored Ash Grove 18-16 in the third quarter, to cut the lead to 45-41 heading into the final quarter of play. In the fourth quarter, the Pirates were able to score 11 points to secure an eight-point victory.
Brady Nicholson led Ash Grove with 28 points and Bryce Davis added 13 points in the win.
“It was great for our guys to close out the regular season with a tough road win,” said head coach Grant Williamson. “Now our eyes are set on the postseason.”
Ash Grove started the week by traveling to Pleasant Hope on Monday, Feb. 12, and coming home with a 71-51 win.
Pleasant Hope led 19-16 after the first quarter, but the Pirates were able to bounce back, outscoring Pleasant Hope, 23-15 in the second quarter to lead 39-34 at the half. Ash Grove added another 18 points in the third quarter to increase their lead to 57-44 before doubling up Pleasant Hope 14-7 in the final quarter to seal the win.
Nicholson paced Ash Grove with 33 points, Davis added 14 points and Asher Rust ended the game with 12 points.
“We started a little slow, but our guys really locked in defensively in the second half to secure an undefeated conference season,” said Williamson.
Ash Grove is now 18-7 on the season and will take on the winner of the opening round Class 2, District 12 tournament game between Jasper and Liberal tomorrow night in Joplin.

Lady Pirates
The Lady Pirates won by forfeit over Buffalo on Thursday, Feb. 15, at Buffalo.
Ash Grove opened the week at Pleasant Hope on Monday, Feb. 12, and came home with a 39-20 victory.
The Lady Pirates led 12-5 after the first quarter and 22-11 at the half. Ash Grove outscored Pleasant Hope 8-2 in the third quarter and 9-7 in the fourth quarter to win the game by 19 points.
Bristol Lathrop led Ash Grove with 14 points and Bethany Wheeler added 10 points in the win.
Ash Grove is now 15-10 on the season and beat Lakeland, 55-34, in an opening round, Class 2, District 13 game Monday night in Weaubleau.