Pirates’ basketball picks up two big wins, Lady Pirates fall to State Ranked Skyline

The Ash Grove High School boys basketball team played two game last week, winning both of them as they start to create momentum heading into this week’s district playoffs.
 
The Pirates traveled to Springfield on Thursday, Feb. 19 to take on New Covenant Academy and defeated the Warriors by 16 points, 68-52.
 
The game was tied at 14-14 after the first quarter, but Ash Grove rallied for 22 points in the second quarter to take a 36-25 lead into the half. The Warriors were able to outscore the Pirates 17-14 in the third quarter to cut the lead to 50-42, heading into the final quarter of play. In the fourth quarter, Ash Grove got hot again and hit for 18 points to close out the victory.
 
Kyler Reece had a monster game, scoring 39 points and Easton Rust added 13 points in the win.
 
“This was a great way to finish our season,” said head coach Grant Williamson. “We seem to be peaking at the right time. Reece set a career high with 39 points and everyone else is contributing in their own unique ways. We are excited to start the post season.”
 
The Pirates began the week by traveling to Skyline on Tuesday, Feb. 17, coming home with a 63-49 win.
 
Skyline took command early and built a 14-6 first quarter lead, but the Pirates came back in the second quarter, scoring 14 points to tie the game at 20-20 at the half. Ash Grove began to create distance in the third quarter, scoring 26 points, while allowing just 11 to take a 46-31 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Tigers were able to outscore Ash Grove 18-17, but it was not enough, as the Pirates won the game by 14 points.
 
Reece paced the Pirates with 29 points and Rust added 10 points in the victory.
 
"This was a great road win,” said Williamson. “We defended with great togetherness and intensity. On the offensive end we saw some shots fall and it led to a great second half run where we were able to pull away. Big congrats to Reece for scoring his 1,000-career point during the contest as well."
 
Ash Grove is now 16-10 on the season and were scheduled to begin the Class 3, District 12 Tournament last night against Miller in El Dorado Springs. The Pirates are the fifth seed, and the tournament is scheduled to end on Saturday.
 
Girls basketball
The Class 3, sixth ranked Lady Pirates traveled to Class 3, fourth ranked Skyline on Monday, Feb. 16 but fell to the Lady Tigers, 56-44.
 
Skyline jumped out to 26-12 first quarter lead but the Lady Pirates were able to outscore Skyline 13-12 in the second quarter to trail 37-25 at the half. It was a low scoring third quarter, as Ash Grove scored five points and Skyline only managed eight points. The Lady Pirates outscored Skyline 14-10 in the fourth quarter but lost the game by 12 points.
 
Bristol Lathrop and Millison Sapp both led Ash Grove with 13 points each.
 
The Lady Pirates are 18-8 on the season and wee scheduled to play against the winner of Sarcoxie and Diamond in the Class 3, District 11 playoffs at Diamond tonight. Ash Grove is the top seed in the tournament and got a first round bye.