Pirates knock off Sarcoxie, ready for Spokane Invit.

Lady Pirates pick up two more victories; look to annual Marionville Lady Comet Classic this week
The Ash Grove High School boys’ basketball team went 1-1 last week, while the Lady Pirates were able to go 2-0.
The Pirates traveled to Sarcoxie on Friday, Jan. 17, and after great shooting in the first half, were able to secure the victory, 60-43.
Ash Grove jumped out to a 16-7 first quarter lead and then shot even better in the second quarter, getting 22 more points to increase their lead to 38-18. In the third quarter, the Bears held Ash Grove to eight points while scoring 10 points to cut the lead to 46-28. The Pirates were able to score in double digits in the fourth quarter, by scoring 14 points, but Sarcoxie answered with 15 points to make the game a little bit closer.
“Our guys played really well in the first and built a lead that we were able to defend throughout the second half,” said head coach Grant Williamson. “Balance was the key for us in this one and everyone who played got in the scorebook.”
Kyler Reece led the Pirates with 15 points, Dylan Gray added 14 points, and Easton Rust ended the game with 12.
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Pirates hosted Diamond, but lost to the Wildcats, 62-58.
Ash Grove led 15-14 after the first quarter and increased that lead to 30-28 by halftime. An eight-point third quarter allowed the Wildcats to take the lead, 44-38. In the fourth quarter, Ash Grove hit for 20 points, but Diamond answered with 18 points of their own to secure the four-point victory.
“We played really solid for three quarters,” said Williamson. “We struggled to convert on some opportunities in the third quarter which ultimately was the difference in an otherwise hard-fought game.”
Gray led Ash Grove with 20 points, Rust had 13 points and Reece added 10 points in the loss.
Ash Grove is now 8-6 on the season and were scheduled to travel to Spokane this week to compete in the Spokane Invitational from Jan. 20 through Jan. 25.
 
Lady Pirates
The Lady Pirates traveled to Sarcoxie on Thursday, Jan. 16, and came home with a 56-43 victory.
On Monday, Jan. 13, Ash Grove visited Blue Eye and came back with a 10-point win, 47-37.
A very low scoring first quarter by both teams, saw the Lady Pirates lead just 5-4. In the second quarter, the Lady Pirates scored 11 points to increase their lead to 16-11 at the half. The Lady Bulldogs scored 20 points in the third quarter to take a 31-29 lead into the final quarter of play. In the fourth quarter, the Lady Pirates exploded for 18 points and clamped down on defense, allowing just six points to secure the 10-point win.
Millison Sapp led Ash Grove with 13 points, Cora Duit had 11 points, and Bristol Lathrop added a double-double, scoring 11 points while securing 11 rebounds.
Ash Grove is now 9-4 on the season and were scheduled to travel to Marionville this week to take part in the Lady Comet Classic from Monday through Saturday.