Lady Pirates lose to Miller in district championship game

Ash Grove Pirates fall to Skyline in opening round of district play, finish season with 12-14 record overall
The winter sports season has come to a close for Ash Grove High School, as the girls and boys basketballers both fell in their respective district tournaments last week.
The Lady Pirates hosted the Class 2, District 12 tournament but lost to Miller in the championship game on Saturday, March 1, 54-53.
Miller led 10-7 after the first quarter, but a 19-point second quarter saw Ash Grove go into halftime with a 26-25 lead. Both teams scored 10 points each in the third quarter, but the Lady Pirates still led 36-35 heading into the final quarter of play. In the fourth, Ash Grove put up 17 points, but the Lady Cardinals did them one two better, scoring 19 points to pull out the 54-53 win.
“It was a great  atmosphere from the community and students,” said head coach Bryan Dean. “The girls left it all out there, and I am so proud of the girls. We just came up a little short.”
Millison Sapp led Ash Grove with 19 points, Bristol Lathrop added 13 points, and Brooke Nicholson ended the game with 10 points.
The Lady Pirates reached the championship game by defeating New Heights Christian Academy, 62-43, in the semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 27.
It was a very close first half, as Ash Grove led 16-15 after the first quarter and 25-23 at halftime. The Lady Pirates began to open it up in the second half, outscoring New Heights 13-9 in the third quarter to increase their lead to 38-32. A 24-point fourth quarter sealed the game for the Lady Pirates and got them the 19-point victory.
Cora Duit led Ash Grove with 18 points, Lathrop added 17 points, and Sapp had a double-double in the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lady Pirates end their 2024-25 season with a very good 17-9 record.

Boys
The Ash Grove boys’ basketball team traveled to Butler to take part in the Class 3, District 11 tournament and lost in the opening round to Skyline, 61-43, on Monday, Feb. 24.
Skyline led 14-10 after the first quarter, but the Pirates clawed their way back in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 24-23 at the half. In the third quarter, Skyline put up 18 points, but the Pirates kept pace, scoring 13 points to trail by just five points going into the final period of play. Skyline broke the game open in the fourth quarter, outscoring Ash Grove 19-7 to secure the win.
“The game was a lot closer than the final indicated,” said head coach Grant Williamson. “We played hard throughout and just ran out of steam down the stretch. Although it wasn’t the outcome we wanted, our guys played with toughness throughout the season and worked everyday to reach their potential.”
Dylan Gray led Ash Grove with 20 points. The Pirates finish their season with a 12-14 record.