by Brian Turrel
The Piper girls’ basketball won handily over Turner 60-30 on Friday evening. Senior Ryann Clark won the night, leading her team in scoring, and then being crowned courtwarming queen immediately after.
The Lady Pirates’ pressure defense hassled the Turner offense throughout the game, and at every pass it seemed like a Piper defender was already in position to prevent a clean dribble or pass.
The tough defense led to a series of layups from Clark and Sage Grann, especially in the second quarter when Piper turned up the defensive pressure even higher.
Jerzey Hanna was Turner’s main response to the pressure, playing through contact to earn six first-quarter free throw chances. Later in the game, Hanna connected from the perimeter on two three-pointers and a long two.
Even though Clark slipped away in the fourth quarter to change into her courtwarming dress, her 14 points paced the Lady Pirates, with Grann right behind at 13.
Avary Vallejo hit three first-half shots behind the arc for nine points, and Lauren Marron also scored nine.
Hanna totalled 14 points in the game for the Lady Bears, with Arylne Carrillo and Damarys Nieto each adding six.
The courtwarming coronation took place after the game. Alongside Clark, senior boys’ basketball player Terelle Berry was crowned courtwarming king.
The Lady Pirates improved their season record to 13-5 with just two home games remaining, facing Topeka West on Tuesday and Shawnee Heights on Friday.
Turner stands at 1-14 for the season, with a January win against Washington in the plus column. The Lady Bears will play at Basehor-Linwood on Valentine’s Day.
