Piper senior Ryan Cobbins (23) posted up against Bonner Springs senior Kim Whetstone (10). (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Piper Lady Pirates kept on rolling toward the playoffs with a 75-20 victory over the Bonner Springs Lady Braves on Tuesday night.
Ali Vigil led the Lady Pirates with 23 points, including five 3-pointers, but was the only player in double figures. Eleven Piper players scored in the game.
For the Lady Braves, Corrie Hassett led with 6 points, while Hallie Hoffine and Kim Whitstone added 5.
The win takes Piper to 16-0. They are 8-0 in the Frontier League, a game in front of second-place Eudora. Bonner Springs drops to 5-12, and is 2-4 in the league.
Bonner Springs will play next at Louisburg this Thursday, while Piper will play at home against Schlagle on Feb. 19.
Piper sophomore Evelyn Vazquez led the team on a break. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Evelyn Vazquez and Bonner Springs sophomore Maggie Myers (3) contended for the ball. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Piper junior Ali Vigil (25) passed the ball to the right wing. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Piper freshman Saniya Simmons (1) poked the ball away from Maggie Myers. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Kim Whetstone took a short-range jumper. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Piper junior Grace Banes (15) drove for a layup. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Kim Whetstone and Ryan Cobbins fought for a rebound. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
The Bonner Springs cheerleaders worked on their routine during a break. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Bonner Springs junior Avery Hill (1) went for a rebound against Piper junior Ayreona Carter (32). (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Piper senior Brandan Jackson (21) threw down a dunk in the first half of a game against Tonganoxie. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
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.
Piper sophomore Tamar Bates (2) knocked away a Tonganoxie shot attempt. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Piper senior Braijion Barnes (4) drove into the lane past Tonganoxie senior Drake Pray (21). (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Tamar Bates went up for a shot inside. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Piper senior Braijion Barnes went high for a layup. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Brandan Jackson shot a short jumper in the lane. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Piper junior Christian Arndt (35) grabbed an offensive rebound, but looked for an outlet when faced with four defenders. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)On a fast break, Piper senior Trey Bates (1) flipped the ball to Jackson in the lane. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Senior Jada Simmons was announced as courtwarming queen, applauded by her escort Braijion Barnes. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Courtwarming king Esrom Griffin received his crown from last year’s queen Sophia Frick. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Piper senior (24) LaKya Leslie drove to the basket. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
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.
Piper junior Grace Banes (15) finished a drive over Tonganoxie junior Lauren Gray (25). (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Piper senior Ryan Cobbins (23) took an inside shot. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Evelyn Vazquez drove into the paint, picking up a foul and two free throws. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Ayreona Carter took a short-range jumper against Tonganoxie sophomore Ashtin Barnes. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
LaKya Leslie took an outside jump shot. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Piper sophomore Evelyn Vazquez (3) drove the lane on a fast break. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Piper senior Brianna Andrade (5) went into the paint against Tongie junior Merkaia Khanthaboury (23) and freshman Jordan Knipp (9). (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Piper junior Ayreona Carter (32) grabbed a rebound against Lauren Gray. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
The Piper cheer squad performed between quarters. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
