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.
