Pirates take Morrisville title, remain undefeated on season

Ash Grove Lady Pirates finish seventh at Willard, look to Greenfield contest, Friday for fourth victory
 
The Ash Grove High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams traveled to Morrisville and Willard to take part in tournaments last week, with the Pirates winning the Morrisville Tournament while the Lady Pirates finished seventh in the Willard Basketball Classic.

Boys
    Ash Grove took on host Marion C. Early in the championship game on Saturday, Dec. 4, and came home with a seven-point, 49-42 win.
    The Pirates trailed 18-10 after the first quarter but scored 14 points in the second quarter to cut the Panthers lead to 26-24 by the half. Ash Grove only scored five points in the third quarter before erupting for 20 points in the final quarter to pull away for the 49-42 win.
    "I was really proud of how our guys battled,” said head coach Grant Williamson. “After a rough start we really dug in on the defensive end and only allowed 24 points the final three quarters which allowed us to rally in the fourth to come back and win. It was a great atmosphere for a high school basketball game and a lot of fun to be a part of. This is the first tournament title our program has won in several years. It was a special night for sure."
    Brady Nicholson led Ash Grove with 20 points and Sam Moreland added 11 points in the win.
    The Pirates reached the championship game by knocking off Bradleyville, 59-52 in the semifinals on Friday, Dec. 3.
    Ash Grove never really trailed in the game, leading 19-9 after the first quarter and 29-21 at the half. A 17-point third quarter would push the Pirates lead to 46-30.
    "This was kind of a roller coaster of a game,” said Williamson. “We had spurts where we played really well and spurts where we lost focus and struggled. We battled some foul trouble and poor shooting, but ultimately were able to still get the job done and advance to the title game. Moreland really stepped up and carried us tonight offensively and also scored his 1,000-career point in the process which is a great accomplishment."
    Moreland led Ash Grove with 28 points. Nate Trammell had 12 points and Nicholson ended the game with 11 points.
    The Pirates opened the tournament on Monday, Nov. 29, with a convincing 88-22 win over Walnut Grove. Ash Grove led 25-4 after the first quarter and 52-10 at the half. After going up 74-16 at the end of the third quarter, the fourth quarter was played with a running clock.
    “Our guys all were able to contribute and be a part of that win,” said Williamson. “Always a good feeling to advance to the winners’ side of a tournament.”
    Moreland paced Ash Grove with 25 points, Nicholson added 18 points and Trammell had 11 points in the win.
Adding to tournament accomplishments, were Moreland, Nicholson and Trammell who were all named to the all-tournament team.
    The Pirates are currently 4-0 and were scheduled to host Spokane on Tuesday night and Greenfield on Friday night.
    
Girls
The Lady Pirates played in the seventh-place game against Class 6 Belton on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Willard and came home with a 61-20 win.
    Ash Grove led 21-4 after the first quarter and 37-9 at the half. The Lady Pirates added another 13 points in the third quarter to increase their lead to 50-15, before scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter for the 41-point victory.
Khloe Moad led Ash Grove with 17 points and Emma McClelland and Meagan Hawkins each scored 14 points in the win.
Ash Grove played Class 6A Bentonville West out of Arkansas in the consolation round on Friday, Dec. 3, and lost 63-50.
    The Lady Pirates trailed 15-5 after the first quarter and 30-16 at the half but were able to cut the Lady Wolverines lead to 42-36, by the end of the third quarter. But a 21-point fourth quarter was the difference, as Bentonville West pulled away to win the game.
McClelland led Ash Grove with 17 points and Brittany Gilliland added 15 points in the loss.
    Ash Grove opened the tournament with an opening round, 50-34 loss to Class 6 Blue Springs on Wednesday, Dec. 1.
    The Lady Pirates were down 15-7 at the end of the first quarter and 20-9 at the half. Blue Springs increased their lead 36-21 in the third quarter before outscoring Ash Grove 14-13 in the final quarter of play.
    McClelland was the only Lady Pirate in double digits, as she led Ash Grove with 10 points.
    Ash Grove is now 3-2 on the season and are scheduled to host Greenfield on Friday night.