Lady Pirates finish second in Marionville Tournament; Ash Grove Pirates finish sixth in annual Spokane Tournament

By: 
Michael L. Misfeldt

Ash Grove’s Cora Duit brings the ball up court for a scoring play against the Crane Lady Pirates last week.

Lady Pirate Alivia Duit eyes a free throw during the Crane contest. (Photos by Kelsey Morris)

Ash Grove’s Lathrop averages 12 points per game during annual Lady Comets Classic; team gets Pierce City tomorrow

The Ash Grove girls’ basketball team traveled to Marionville last week to compete in the Marionville Lady Comets Classic.
The Lady Pirates lost to Clever in the championship game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 57-40.
Clever jumped out to a 24-9 first quarter lead and never let up after that, increasing their lead to 41-18 by the half. In the second half, the Lady Pirates played a better defense, allowing just 16 total points, while scoring 22 points of their own but still lost the game, 57-40.
Bristol Lathrop and Millison Sapp each had 13 points in the game.
Ash Grove defeated Crane, 44-40, in the semifinals on Thursday, Jan. 23.
The Lady Pirates led 19-18 after the first quarter and just 26-24 at the half. Both teams scored eight points each in the third quarter with Ash Grove outscoring Crane, 10-8, in the final quarter for the four-point victory.
Lathrop led Ash Grove with 16 points and Cora Duit added 12 points in the win.
“Hard fought game,” said head coach Bryan Dean “The girls’ effort was outstanding. It is not easy beating a team twice in a year.”
The Lady Pirates opened the tournament with a 51-44 win over Cassville on Tuesday, Jan. 22.
Ash Grove led 13-8 after the first quarter and 23-18 at the half. The Lady Pirates increased their lead to 32-23 by the end of the third quarter, Cassville scored in buckets in the fourth quarter, hitting for 21 points but the Lady Pirates almost matched them scoring 19 points and holding on for the seven-point victory.
Sapp led Ash Grove with 15 points, Lathrop added a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, Brooke Nicholson and Duit each added 10 rebounds in the win.
The Lady Pirates are now 11-5 on the season and were scheduled to host Lockwood on Monday night before traveling to Pierce City tomorrow night.
Pirates
Reece averages 18 points per game in tourney action; team heads to Pierce City Friday night tilt against host Eagles

The Ash Grove High School Boys’ basketball team traveled to Spokane last week to take part in the 40th Annual Spokane Invitational, finishing in sixth place.
In the fifth-place game on Saturday, Jan. 25, the Pirates lost to Cassville, 76-57.
The Wildcats led 27-17 after the first quarter and increased that lead to 47-24 by halftime. In the third quarter, the Pirates scored 15 points, but Cassville answered with 22 points to increase their lead to 69-39. In the final quarter of play, Ash Grove outscored the Wildcats 18-8 but lost the game 76-57.
“We had a really tough time defending their 6’9” post player and when we collapsed to try to stop him, they made a lot of shots,” said head coach Grant Williamson. “Our effort offensively was solid. Credit to Cassville for executing.”
Kyler Reece led Ash Grove with 15 points and Easton Rust added 12 points in the loss.
The Pirates reached the fifth-place game by defeating host Spokane, 61-49 on Friday, Jan. 24.
Spokane led 16-15 after the first quarter and 31-28 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Pirates clamped down on defense allowing just nine points, while scoring 14 points to take a 42-40 lead into the final quarter of play. In the fourth quarter, Ash Grove once again only allowed nine points, while scoring 19 points to close out the 12-point victory.
“Our guys really stepped up the defensive intensity in the second half and allowed us to open the game up,” said Williamson.
Reece led Ash Grove with 19 points, Jaden Hance scored 17 points and Rust added 10 points in the win.
The Pirates opened the tournament against Reeds Spring on Monday, Jan. 20, but lost by five points, 66-61.
Ash Grove led 16-12 after the first quarter but the Wolves came back and outscored the Pirates 18-12 in the second quarter to take a 30-28 lead into the half. In the third quarter Ash Grove tied the game at 43-43 by outscoring Reeds Spring, 15-13. A 23-point fourth quarter by the Wolves secured the 66-61 win.
Reece led Ash Grove with 20 points and Hance added 6 points in the loss.
The Pirates are now 9-7 on the season and were scheduled to host Lockwood on Monday before traveling to Pierce City on Friday night.
 

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Lawrence County Record

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