by Brian Turrel
The Piper Pirates started their playoff run in fine form Tuesday evening in Piper, taking a 76-58 win from the Lansing Lions in the first round of their substate bracket.
The Pirates used quick perimeter movement and skip passes to open driving lanes that they exploited with drives and kickouts.
Piper built on its lead with each successive quarter until there was no doubt about the outcome in the final frame. To the great delight of the boisterous Pirates’ student section, head coach Steve Wallace emptied the bench in the latter half of the fourth quarter.
Four Pirates scored in double figures, led by Jaron Briggs with 18 points. Gannon Roth scored 13, including 3 three-pointers. Devin Kerr scored 11 points and was a perfect 5-for-5 at the free throw line. Mikey Burgess scored 10 points.
The Pirates move on to play Topeka’s Highland Park High School on Friday for the substate trophy and a berth in the 5A state tournament in Emporia.
In other local playoff action, Bishop Ward boys defeated Santa Fe Trail 63-51 and will face Easton-Pleasant Ridge on Thursday in Pomona in the 3A substate bracket. The Lady Cyclones were defeated 47-28 by Osage City in their first round match, and finish their season with a 9-11 record.
Bonner Springs boys lost 85-55 at St. James Academy in Lenexa. Sumner Academy boys lost 65-52 at Pittsburg. Wyandotte girls lost at Shawnee Mission West, 59-9.
