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.
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.
Senior Aaron Simmons tossed in a short-range jumper. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Freshman Lantz Walton switched directions on a dribble drive. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Sophomore Gannon Roth blocked a Mill Valley shot. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Senior Blake Porter redirected around the defense of Mill Valley junior Dylan Blazer. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Freshman P.J. Moore drove along the left baseline. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Junior Colin Vigil went up for a finger roll. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Sophomore Gannon Roth went up for a short-range shot. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Senior Jaron Briggs waited for Mill Valley senior Adrian Dimond to fly by before putting in a layup. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Senior Aaron Simmons was defended by Mill Valley senior Adrian Dimond. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Mill Valley junior Nen Matlock pulled down a rebound to end Piper’s final scoring chance. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Senior Jaron Briggs made a dunk off a fast break in the second half of Piper’s season-opening win over Ottawa. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Piper Pirates basketball team won its home opener Friday against Ottawa 73-53.
Jaron Briggs hit two three-pointers in the first quarter to establish his presence outside, but the Cyclones were able to keep pace, and finished the quarter tied at 14.
Piper started to pull away in the second quarter, outscoring the Cyclones by 10. Ottawa had only two made baskets in the quarter, but made 8 of 12 free throw attempts. Piper made three 3-pointers, one each from Colin Vigil, Gannon Roth, and Alex Ivanuska.
The third quarter was a slugfest of defense. There were 25 combined shots from the free throw line, and the frequent whistles slowed the game. The atmosphere on the court was becoming chippy, and the referees dispensed offsetting technical fouls at one point to get the teams’ attention.
The Pirates got the better of the third-quarter scrap, thanks in part to two 3-pointers from Roth, and they ended the quarter with a 56-40 advantage.
Vigil and Roth both struck again from the outside in the fourth quarter, and the Pirates extended the lead to 20 at the final whistle.
Jaron Briggs led the Pirates with 26 points, including 10 of 13 from the free throw line. Gannon Roth added 17 points off the bench, including four 3-pointers. Alex Ivanuska scored 11.
Now 1-0, the Pirates will play next week in the Huhtamaki Hardwood Classic, held by De Soto High School. The opening game will be against Olathe Northwest at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Jaron Briggs, who goes by the nickname “Day Day,” brought a large and enthusiastic cheering section in matching T-shirts. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Head coach Steve Wallace talked to his team during a timeout in the second half. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Junior Colin Vigil went up for a shot. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Senior Alex Ivanuska split two Ottawa defenders to get to the basket. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Freshman Lantz Walton came into the game late in the fourth quarter. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Ottawa junior Jake Titus stripped the ball from Piper senior Blake Porter. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The Piper dance team performed at halftime. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Senior Jaron Briggs took a short jumper in the lane. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Senior Jaron Briggs was swarmed by the Ottawa defense. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Sophomore Gannon Roth took a three-point shot. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The Piper cheerleaders celebrated at the end of the game. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Junior Colin Vigil cut to the basket. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
