by Brian Turrel
The Piper High School Lady Pirates, ranked the third best 4A Division 1 team in the latest Kansas coaches’ poll, continued their path toward another Kaw Valley League crown with a 59-20 defeat of the Bonner Lady Braves on Friday night.
The game started slowly, with Piper leading 6-2 halfway through the first quarter. The Pirates then turned up the heat, running away to a 17-3 first quarter advantage and taking the mystery out of the final result.
Piper’s backcourt trapping defense led to several Bonner turnovers and when Bonner broke the press, Piper’s taller defenders prevented the Braves from sprinting to the rim.
Grace Banes’ accurate shooting generated 15 points to lead Piper, including three 3-point shots. Reserve guard Riley Porter added 12, mostly in the second half. Ali Vigil scored 10 in limited minutes.
Hallie Hoffine led the Braves with 10, sometimes generating her own offense off the dribble when the Piper defense was tight.
The Lady Pirates remain undefeated at 9-0 (4-0 in the league). They will play next at Turner High School on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. The Lady Braves drop to 2-7 (1-4 in the league) and will play in the Tonganoxie Invitational Tournament, starting against the KC Metro Academy Mavericks on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
