Junior Trey Bates dribbled between his legs as he looked for an opening in the Hayden defense. Bates led Piper with 21 points. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Piper boys basketball team took a 74 – 61 victory over Topeka’s Hayden Catholic High School on Tuesday night, holding off a third quarter Hayden scoring run and sinking key free throws in the final minutes.
Hayden led 19 – 16 after the first quarter on strong three-point shooting. Piper trailed most of the second quarter before a series of fast breaks by Braijion Barnes and Trey Bates allowed the Pirates to pull into a 7-point lead at halftime.
With seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Hayden crept back within 2 points, but could not get any closer. As the clock ticked down to three minutes remaining, Hayden turned to fouling the ball handler in order to extend the game. Piper hit 13 of 18 free throws in the fourth quarter, led by Bryce Yoder, who hit all 6 of his attempts.
Piper improved its record to 3 – 2 for the season, and will head into conference play this Friday against Tonganoxie.
Photos copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel
Sophomore Gabe Eskina (10) pulled down a defensive rebound. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Senior Daviance “Doc” Covington (1) went up for a layup. Covington scored 15 points in the game. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Junior Braijion Barnes (4) fought for a defensive rebound. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Senior Bryce Yoder (30) hit all six of his free throw attempts in the fourth quarter. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Coach Toure’ Grimes, in his first year as head coach at Piper, huddled with his team in a fourth quarter timeout. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Hayden senior Hayden Federico (10) blocked a shot by Braijion Barnes, but was whistled for a foul. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Trey Bates put up a jump shot over Hayden senior Zach Harvey (2). (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Junior Cooper Beebe (00) ran the floor on a fast break. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)
Piper sophomore Ali Vigil (25) took the ball to the basket for a layup in the first quarter. Vigil scored 11 points in the game. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Piper girls basketball team lived up to its highly rated reputation on Tuesday evening, handing Topeka’s Hayden Catholic High School a 58 – 28 defeat. Piper overpowered the Lady Wildcats with strong inside play from Ryan Cobbins, and tough pressure defense from Evelyn Vazquez.
Piper started slowly, spotting Hayden an early lead in the first quarter. Piper finished the second quarter strong and held a 25 – 18 lead at halftime.
Cobbins, together with Ali Vigil, took over the game offensively in the third quarter, combining for 17 points and putting the game out of reach. Vazquez’s defense fueled the offense by forcing bad passes and steals in the backcourt to allow Piper some easy breakaway baskets.
Piper remains undefeated, improving its season record to 5 – 0. Piper will play next on Dec. 15 at home against Tonganoxie.
Photos copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel
Junior LaKya Leslie (24) took a shot over the Hayden defense. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Piper junior Ryan Cobbins (23) pushed the ball up court in the first quarter. Cobbins scored 20 points in the game to lead the Pirates. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)The Piper cheerleaders fired up the full and enthusiastic student section between quarters. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Sophomore Grace Banes (15) put up a short range jump shot late in the second quarter. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Freshman Evelyn Vazquez led a fast break in the third quarter. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Ryan Cobbins posted up against the Hayden defender in the fourth quarter. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)
Turner senior Russell Reed (24) went up for a layup Friday in competition against Olathe West. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Turner Golden Bears boys basketball team suffered a tough loss on Friday night, dropping their season opener to Olathe West, 53 – 35.
The Owls jumped out to an early 12 – 0 lead by taking advantage of soft Turner passes to steal the ball and return it for easy scores and open three-point shots. Olathe West held a 28 – 10 lead at halftime.
Turner buckled down in the second half, reducing the turnover opportunities and playing more physical defense, with both teams scoring 25 in the half.
Junior Ty Gilmore led Turner, scoring 11 points off the bench, while senior Fred Poe scored 9.
Turner plays next at Schlagle High School on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Photos copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel
Senior Fred Poe (33) was double-teamed along the sideline. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Senior Russell Reed (24) set up for defense. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Turner junior Ty Gilmore (22) attempted a short jumper in the first half. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Senior Fred Poe (33) drove the ball around the right side. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Olathe West junior Kellen Welsh won an offensive rebound but came down hard. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Ty Gilmore tried to drive the lane but was cut off by Olathe West’s defense. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Russell Reed drove past the Olathe West defense and prepared to go up for a shot. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)Senior Donald Rollen (12) attempted a three-point shot. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)The Turner Goldenettes dance team performed at halftime. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)The Turner pep band performed before the game. (Photo copyright 2017 by Brian Turrel)
