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Lady Braves’ Noel scores 25 in 73-49 loss at De Soto

by Brian Turrel

The Bonner Springs Lady Braves got a strong early start but couldn’t overcome the outstanding long-range shooting of the De Soto Lady Wildcats in a 73-49 loss on Thursday evening in De Soto.

De Soto’s Mack Carson hit 6 of 13 three-point attempts, and Addison Tower hit 4 of 9. Both were effective at using off-the-ball movement to get open in the corners for their shots.

De Soto’s defense also featured heavily in the outcome, forcing 22 Braves’ turnovers, including 12 steals. The Lady Wildcats scored 34 points off turnovers.

Mariyah Noel led all scorers with 25 points for the Lady Braves, and she led both teams on the boards with 11 rebounds. She found success driving along the baseline from both sides and hit two 3-pointers.

Noel ran into foul trouble in the second half and spent several minutes on the bench in the third quarter. She hit a higher gear late in the game, scoring 15 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter.

Wren VanCleave was effective in the paint and hit both her 3-point attempts, scoring 11 points for the game and grabbing 6 rebounds.

The Lady Braves will head into their Christmas break with a 3-2 record. They return to action on Jan. 4 with a home game against the Shawnee Heights Lady Thunderbirds.

Surrounded by three defenders, junior Wren VanCleave looked for an outlet under the basket. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Senior Mercedes Madlock took a shot in the lane and earned a trip to the free throw line. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Junior Mariyah Noel split two De Soto defenders as she drove to the basket. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Sophomore Luci Smith lined up a 3-point shot. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Junior Wren VanCleave drew two defenders and then passed the ball to the left wing. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Junior Mariyah Noel slipped past the De Soto defense and into the lane. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Sophomore Pirsten Leslie was defended by De Soto junior Carson Mack under the basket. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Piper’s Pollard out after four seasons

Former Piper football head coach Rick Pollard. (File photo)

by Brian Turrel

In an unexpected move, the Piper school district has decided not to renew the contract of head football coach Rick Pollard.

The well-regarded coach held a 21-19 record in his four seasons with the Pirates, including 7-4 and a regional championship in the 2021 season. This week he had been announced as a member of the coaching staff for the 2022 Kansas Shrine Bowl.

Pollard was informed of the decision Tuesday afternoon, and word spread quickly through the Piper football players and their families, many of whom reacted with shock and disappointment.

Junior quarterback Logan Ladish, in a social media statement, said, “I believe [the decision] was selfish and unnecessary in every way possible.”

Junior lineman Camden Beebe, also via social media, said, “We are saddened by the decision regarding the future of the Piper football program. Coach Pollard had this team going in the right direction. Winning our first regional championship since 2014 was only the start.”

Messages to the high school and district administration requesting comment were not returned.

Pirates end Huhtamaki tourney action with 58-53 loss to Mill Valley

Senior Jaron Briggs went up for a shot in the lane during the second half of Piper’s game against Mill Valley in the third round of the Huhtamaki Hardwood Classic tournament. Mill Valley won the game 58-53. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Piper Pirates lost to Mill Valley 58-53 in the third round of the Huhtamaki Hardwood Classic tournament. The Pirates came back from a 15-point deficit and tied the game with two minutes remaining, but the Jaguars held on for the win.

Mill Valley got the early jump in the first quarter thanks to 2 blocked shots, but by the end of the quarter the teams drew level at 11. Gannon Roth hit a 3-pointer, and Jaron Briggs had two baskets to help even the score.

The second quarter belonged to the Jaguars, who held Piper to 9 points while they posted 22 at the other end. Seven Mill Valley players scored in the quarter, and the height and pace of the Jaguars kept the Pirates off balance.

Piper had trouble finishing at the rim during the fast-paced action. The Pirates attempted nine more shots than Mill Valley, but hit five fewer. Piper’s shooting percentage was only 31 percent for the half, which closed 33-20 in the Jaguars’ favor.

Piper started cutting into the lead out of the halftime break. Briggs hit two 3-pointers, and Colin Vigil added another in the third quarter.

Fouls started to accumulate for Piper in the second half, and freshman Lantz Walton saw extended minutes off the bench. Walton earned three steals in 14 minutes of game action and his defensive intensity helped his team close the gap to five heading into the fourth quarter.

Piper continued its comeback into the fourth quarter, drawing level at 52 when Briggs was fouled and hit two free throws with just over two minutes remaining.

A late double-dribble turnover by the Pirates let Mill Valley get back out to a 3 point lead, and Piper missed two 3-point opportunities to tie the game in the closing seconds. Mill Valley’s Nen Matlock iced the game with two free throws, capping off a perfect 10-for-10 at the line.

Briggs led the Pirates in scoring with 24 points in the game. Aaron Simmons had 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Piper narrowly lost Tuesday’s tournament opener to Olathe Northwest (60-57) but came back to trounce Schlagle (62-23) in the second round.

The team will finish its busy December schedule with games next week against Shawnee Mission Northwest, Louisburg, and Shawnee Mission North before starting the Christmas break.