Pirate ballers split with Morrisville, Billings in uneven play

Lady Pirates fall short against host Diamond, now just one game above .500
 
The Ash Grove boys’ and girls’ basketball teams were both in action last week, as the Pirates played against Marion C. Early and Billings, while the Lady Pirates took on Diamond.
Boys
It was a low scoring affair on Friday, Jan. 7, as the 10th ranked Ash Grove boys’ team fell at Marion C. Early, 36-32.
The Pirates led 8-5 at the end of one quarter of play, but only scored three points in the second quarter to trail 19-11 at the half. The Pirates fell back 10 points after only scoring seven points in the third quarter, trailing 28-18. But they played some defense in the fourth, holding MCE to just eight points while putting up 14 points of their own. It wasn’t in cards though for the cold shooting visitors, as the Pirates fell by four points in the end.
“This was a tough game, but we will continue to make improvements, get better, and be ready to go for conference play next week,” said head coach Grant Williamson.
Brock Mooneyham paced Ash Grove with 11 points, while Brady Nicholson added 10 points in the loss.
Ash Grove opened the week by traveling to Billings on Tuesday, Jan. 4, and came home with a 79-68 win.
Billings led 13-11 after the first quarter, but a 26-point second quarter propelled Ash Grove into the lead, 37-28 at the half. The Pirates scored another 23 points in the third quarter to increase their lead to 60-41, heading into the final quarter of play. Billings tried to mount a comeback in the fourth, putting up 27 points, but Ash Grove answered with 19 points of their own to take the game by 11.
“This was a tough and physical game and our guys played well for most of it,” said Williamson. “Always nice to come out of the Christmas break and get a win.”
Nicholson led the way with 30 points; Sam Moreland added 27 points and Mooneyham ended the game with 10 points.
Ash Grove is now 10-3 on the season and were scheduled to travel to Diamond last night before hosting Sarcoxie on
Friday.
Girls
The Lady Pirates made the trip to Diamond on Friday, Jan. 7, and came home with a two-point loss, 49-47.
Diamond jumped out to a 22-5 first quarter lead, but Ash Grove battled back outscoring Diamond, 13-6, cutting the halftime lead to 28-18. In the third quarter, the Lady Pirates played more great defense, holding Diamond to just four points, while putting up 10 of their own to trail by just four points heading into the final stanza. In the fourth, Ash Grove put up 19 points, but allowed Diamond to answer back with 15 points to take the game 49-47.
Emma McClelland led Ash Grove with 15 points and Brittany Gilliland added 11 points in the loss.
The Lady Pirates are now 7-6 on the season and will host Sarcoxie tomorrow night.