Month: February 2019

by Brian Turrel

The Piper boys basketball team remain unbeaten on top of the Frontier League standings, posting a 64-35 win over Tonganoxie in Piper on Friday night.

The Pirates’ inside defense was the determining factor in the game, limiting the Chieftains’ opportunities around the basket. Braijion Barnes and Tamar Bates were particularly effective at stuffing and swatting Tonganoxie’s inside shots.

On the offensive end, Trey Bates showed off his range, picking up 3 three-pointers. Inlet passes to Brandan Jackson in the paint were also successful in the Pirates’ game plan.

Piper led the game from the start, taking a 20-6 first quarter lead. The Chieftains were never able to get enough traction against the strong defense for a comeback.

Tamar Bates led the Pirates with 16 points, while Trey Bates and Brandan Jackson each added 13.

The win gives the Pirates an 8-0 league record (13-3 overall). They hold a two-game lead over second-place Ottawa and Bonner Springs in the league. The Pirates will head to Bonner Springs for their next game on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Jada Simmons and Esrom Griffin were crowned courtwarming queen and king in a halftime ceremony.

by Brian Turrel

The Piper girls basketball team continued their dominant run through the 2018-2019 season, defeating the Tonganoxie Lady Chieftains 56 to 20 at Piper on Friday night.

The Lady Chieftains were powerless to stop the Lady Pirates well-known pressing defense and strong inside shooting.

The Pirates took a commanding 28-1 first quarter lead. Evelyn Vazquez, Ali Vigil and LaKya Leslie were all able to lead successful fast breaks that turned the game into a one-sided contest.

Coach Shane Stout relied on his bench extensively in the second half, putting freshman Saniya Simmons at point to gather valuable game experience.

Ryan Cobbins led Piper with 12 points, including 3 three-pointers, while Evelyn Vazquez and Grace Banes each contributed 10.

The win takes the Lady Pirates to 8-0 in the conference, 15-0 overall. They are ranked second in the state in Class 4A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches’ Association, behind only Roeland Park’s Bishop Miege High School, which knocked the Piper girls out of the state tournament last year.

The Piper girls will play next on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. against St. Joseph’s Benton High School, a make-up of the championship game of the Bobcat Invitational, which was postponed due to inclement weather.