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)
Junior Braijion Barnes (4) went up against Washburn Rural’s Jordan White (15). (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Piper Pirates boys basketball team took second place in the Bobcat Invitational Basketball tournament on Friday night, losing 62-51 to Washburn Rural High School in the final game, which was moved earlier to stay ahead of the incoming winter storm.
A loss to the Junior Blues wasn’t inconceivable in this contest between two of Kansas’s best teams. Washburn Rural is fourth-ranked in class 6A for the biggest high schools, while Piper is the top-ranked school in class 4A.
Piper’s path to the final result was a rollercoaster ride, climbing to the peak of a 19-point halftime lead, and then suddenly plummeting as the Junior Blues took control in the third quarter.
Piper built their lead on great shooting and solid defense. Piper’s Ty Shelley, Trey Bates and Tamar Bates each hit two 3-pointers in the first half. The Pirates’ defense allowed Blues’ star Jordan White to collect 11 points in the half, but the rest of the Blues combined scored only 6.
In the second half, Washburn Rural opened with a heavy half-court press that seemed to catch Piper off guard. Washburn collected several steals that they returned for layups, and quickly brought their deficit back under 10.
Piper coach Toure Grimes called three timeouts within 3 1/2 minutes in the third quarter to try to steady the team, but the Blues’ run continued. They moved back in front in the closing seconds of the third quarter for a 41-40 lead, holding Piper to one made basket and 4 points in the quarter.
The Pirates steadied their offense in the fourth quarter, speeding up their passing to keep out of Washburn’s press, but they lacked their first half shooting touch and weren’t able to keep pace. White hit 6-of-6 free throws in the final minutes to seal Washburn’s win.
Piper defeated Basehor-Linwood and St. Joe Central on their path to the final. They’ll be back in action against Shawnee Heights on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
The Piper girls’ basketball team was also scheduled to play for the tournament championship on Friday evening, but their game, against St. Joe Central, was rescheduled due to weather. The game will be Tuesday evening in Piper.
Senior Trey Bates (1) drove in for a layup. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Braijion Barnes looked for a driving lane. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Sophomore Tamar Bates (14) went for a layup. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Trey Bates was announced under the spotlights before the game. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Piper head coach Toure Grimes encouraged his team during a timeout in the second half. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Sophomore Trey Bates (14) shouted as he was fouled on his way to the basket. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)The Piper cheerleaders performed stunts during a break in the action. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Junior Ty Shelley looked for an entry pass from the right corner. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Junior Gabe Eskina (24) went up under the Washburn Rural defender. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
