Lady Pirates fall in district semifinals to feisty Skyline girls team

The 2019-20 basketball season has come to an end for both the Ash Grove High School girls and boys basketball teams, as the Lady Pirates lost in the semifinals against Skyline, while the boys lost in the first round against Skyline in the Class 2, District 13 tournament in Weaubleau.

           Girls
The Lady Pirates played well against Skyline, but lost by two points, 49-47 on Wednesday, Feb. 26, ending their otherwise impressive season.
Both teams were tied at 12-12 at the end of the first quarter, but Skyline held the Lady Pirates to just six points, while scoring 21 points in the second quarter to take a 33-18 lead into the half.
In the third quarter, Ash Grove outscored Skyline 18-10 to cut Skyline’s lead to 41-36. The Lady Pirates again outscored Skyline in the fourth quarter, 11-6 but fell short, losing 49-47.
Khloe Moad led Ash grove with 10 points in the loss.
The Lady Pirates opened the district tournament with a 71-45 win over Osceola on Monday, Feb. 24.
Ash Grove jumped out to a 29-10 first quarter lead and increased that lead to 45-21 by halftime. Both teams scored 11 points each in the third quarter and 15 points a piece in the fourth quarter but Ash Grove came away with the 24-point victory.
Kennedi Climer led Ash Grove with 28 points; Emma Eagleburger added 12 points and Moad ended the game with 10 points. Ash Grove ends their season with a 19-8 record.

          Boys
The first and third quarters spelled the end for the Pirates as top seeded Skyline knocked off Ash Grove 71-40 on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Skyline jumped out to an 18-6 first quarter lead, but the Pirates outscore Skyline, 18-15 to only trail at the half, 33-24. In the third quarter, Skyline outscored Ash Grove 30-11 to increase their lead to 63-35. Skyline adds eight points in the fourth quarter, as Ash Grove scored five points to lose the game by 31.
“I thought we came out and played well,” said head coach Grant Williamson. “We executed on the offensive end of the floor, we just weren’t able to get shots to fall. I thought we competed well the entire game. There is a reason Skyline is ranked No. 3 in the state. Their skill and athleticism allowed them to just keep slowly extending their lead.”
Sam Moreland led Ash Grove with 14 points and Nate Trammell added 13 points in the loss. The Pirates ended their season with a 1-23 record.  
“I was proud of the way we worked all season to keep getting better,” said Williamson “We wish our seniors the best, and we’ll start to look towards preparing for next season.”