Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
By Loyal Baker
POMEROY–Lady Pirate Keely Maves nailed a shot at the buzzer to knot the score and send the game against Yakama Nation Tribal School's Lady Eagles into overtime, and the Lady Pirates rode their fourth-quarter momentum to a come-from-behind 43-39 non-league win here Saturday, December 18.
Pomeroy had two contests remaining before going into the Christmas Break. Monday, December 20, they faced Liberty Christian for a non-league game in Richland, and Wednesday, December 22, the Lady Buccaneers visited Colton for a league counter.
"We had a true team win tonight," commented Head Coach Tai Bye.
"We came back from down 10 to pull ahead, and hit a buzzer shot by Maves to take us into overtime," Bye said. "We had the momentum going into overtime, and we stayed composed and continued with strong defense to finish the game. I am so proud of my girls for gutting this win out tonight. Every girl contributed in a big way tonight."
The Lady Pirates iced up in the second period after taking a 9-8 lead after the first eight minutes of play. The Lady Eagles scored 14 points in the second stanza to hold a 22-15 lead at half time.
In the second half, the Lady Pirates relied on defense and were boosted by a big 16-point fourth quarter. "Our defense was really strong tonight," Bye continued. "Chase Caruso and Haliee Brewer kept us alive. They played tough defense and contained their shooters. Haliee finished with eight rebounds tonight and Elizabeth Ruchert finished with eight rebounds, too. They both played a really aggressive game and were the spark we needed to finish the game."
The third quarter was a defensive battle, with the Lady Eagles outscoring Pomeroy 7-4 for a 29-19 lead. In the fourth period, Pomeroy's 16 points to Yakama's six evened the score with Maves's bucket at the final horn.
In overtime, the Lady Buccaneers outplayed the Lady Eagles 8-4 for the 43-39 decision.
Two Lady Pirates had a double-double. Senior 5-11 forward Maves nailed the shot at the buzzer for the tie, and finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Junior guard Jillian Herres finished with 12 points and 10 assists.
Pomeroy 43, Yakama Nation Tribal 39 (OT)
Pom 9 6 4 16 8-43
Yak 8 14 7 6 4-39
Pomeroy (65) Jillian Herres 412 3-7 12, Chase Caruso 0-7 0-0 0, Keely Maves 10-26 5-7 25, Jadence Gingerich 2-5 0-2 4, Haliee Brewer 0-1 0-0 0, Elizabeth Ruchert 1-2 0-1 2, Taylor Gilbert, 0-1 0-0 0.
Yakama (39) G'mewlin Mills 6-10 1-3 15, Jolela Onepennee-Billy 0-3 2-4 2, Julia George 1-7 2-2 4, Megan Lucci 0-4 0-0 0, Gwen Dawes 6-14 0-0 14, Beth Scabbyrobe 2-11 0-0 4.
Three-point goals: Yakama-Mills 2, Dawes 2. Pomeroy: Herres. Fouls: Yakama 19, Pomeroy 12. Fouled Out: Brewer. Technical Fouls: None. Rebounds: Maves 12, Brewer 8, Ruchert 8. Pomeroy rebounds: 37. Turnovers: Pomeroy 20. Assists: Pomeroy 14.
