by Brian Turrel
The Piper Lady Pirates substate final game against the Chanute Blue Comets started slowly. By the midway point of the first quarter, there were only three made baskets, and the Comets looked like they had a chance. With three minutes left in the first quarter, Chanute hit a three-pointer to take a 7-6 lead.
Chanute didn’t score again until Piper had 19 more points and only three minutes remained in the first half.
The Lady Pirates went on to win the game 58-26, earning a spot in the KSHSAA 4A playoffs next week.
Piper’s defense hounded the Blue Comets ball handlers up and down the full length of the court, trapping, grabbing, stripping, or blocking everything that Chanute tried to run.
The game frustrated Chanute head coach Dustin Fox so much that he earned two technical fouls for his comments to officials, getting ejected with a minute left in the third quarter.
The Blue Comets did not lose their competitive spirit, continuing to fight for loose balls and rebounds. A noisy contingent of about 100 fans accompanied them from southeast Kansas, filling a section of the Piper field house.
Ryan Cobbins led Piper in scoring with 25 points. Ali Vigil added 10, and Grace Banes 9.
The state tournament starts Thursday in Salina. Brackets have not yet been released for the tournament.
Update: Piper will face Eudora in the first round of the 4A state tournament. The game will take place on Thursday at 6:30 PM.
