Pirates make Wildcats walk the plank

COLTON–After edging ahead by six points in the first quarter, the Pomeroy Pirates clamped down on the Colton Wildcats in the second period, outscoring them 16-2 to take a twenty-point lead into the half time locker room, and finished with the same margin of victory in the 54-34 league win here December 22.

Pomeroy's win-loss record is now at 4-2, with three of those wins being league counters. The Pirates resume the 2021-22 basketball schedule with a non-league home contest with DeSales on Tuesday, January 4, and the games the following weekend at Oakesdale on Friday, January 7, and hosting Prescott on Saturday. The Junior Varsity opens the new year with a road trip to Lapwai for a 7:30 p.m. J.V.-only game.

The Pirates' ramped up their defense in the second quarter after finishing the first quarter with a 20-14 lead, and held the Wildcats to just two points in the second stanza.

"We played a great first half tonight," commented Head Coach Chris Wolf. "We scored 36 points and held Colton to two points in the second quarter.

"I thought we picked up our defensive intensity in the second quarter and did a much better job of getting hands in shooters' faces," he added. "Offensively we played really strong in the post."

The Pirates have been without the services of 6-0 senior guard Trent Gwinn since he sustained an injury in the December 18 game against Yakama Nation Tribal School. "We are still adjusting to not having Trent out there right now," Wolf said. "He is a great defender and could bail us out offensively when our offense broke down. We are hoping to have Trent back near the end of the regular season, but will just have to wait and see."

Without Gwinn, the Pirates will work to share the scoring threat among more players, Wolf said. The holiday break, with the next game on January 4, will give the team time to adapt and adjust, he said.

Pomeroy's focus blurred some in the second half as the Pirates missed a number of "point-blank, uncontested shots," Wolf said.

Leading the Pirates in the productive first half was Trevin Kimble, who scored 14 of his game-high 20 points in that half, in addition to numerous rebounds and assists.

Brady Bott stepped up with two treys and several steals. "He really played well defensively and was more aggressive offensively tonight," Wolf said.

The second half showed the Pirates letting down a little, committing 16 turnovers.

Colton 34, Pomeroy 54 (12-22)

Pom 20 16 12 6-54

Colt 14 2 8 10-34

Pomeroy (54) Brady Bott 3 0-0 8, Jett Slusser 2 1-4 5, Trevin Kimble 8 2-4 20, Brodie Magill 0 0-0 0, Ledgerwood 0 0-0 0, Schmidt 0 0-0 0, Ollie Severs 3 0-2 6, Jayden Slusser 0 1-2 1, Roberts 5 0-1 10, Vecchio 2 0-0 4, Totals 23 4-13 54. 

Colton (34) Arnhold 0 0-0 0, Wolf 2 0-0 6, Moehrle 3 0-0 8, Baerlocher 0 2-2 2, Reisenauer 0 0-0 0, A. Jordan 1 2-6 5, McCann 5 0-0 11, W. Jordan 1 0-1 2, Rogerson 0 0-0 0, Totals 12 4-9 34. 

3-point goals: Pomeroy - Bott 2, Kimble 2. Colton - Wolf 2, Moehrle 2, A. Jordan, McCann. 

The Pirates fell behind 32-9 after the first quarter and couldn't climb back out of the hole in a 69-55 loss to Liberty Christian December 20.

"We gave up 32 points in the first quarter and dug ourselves a hole we couldn't come back from," Wolf said. "We were able to get back within 12 points several times but could not get any closer"

The Patriots took advantage of "open shots and easy looks right around the basket," Wolf said, in a game that the Pirates "took a step backwards defensively. This is the first game this season that I felt like we weren't the more physical, tougher team on the floor."

Liberty relaxed in the second quarter and Pomeroy outscored them 17-6 to head into the locker room trailing by 12, 38-26.

The second half was evenly played with the Pirates pumping in 29 points to the Patriots' 32, underscoring the difference in the game being the 23-point difference from the first quarter.

"It was a tough, physical road game that will make us better later in the season," Wolf said.

Severs had his best game of the year with 21 points and rebounded very well, Wolf said. Jett Slusser drained a trio of three pointers.

Liberty Christian 69, Pomeroy 55 (12-20)

Pom 9 17 9 20-55

LC 32 6 14 17-69

Pomeroy (55) Bott 1 0-0 3, Slusser 3 0-0 9, Kimble 6 3-4 15, Severs 8 4-5 21, Roberts 2 1-6 5, Vecchio 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 8-15 55. 

Liberty Christian (69) Bishop 8 5-5 27, McClure 4 0-0 12, Dunham 3 3-5 10, Ott 1 0-0 2, Hayden 4 0-0 8, Benson 4 0-0 10. Totals 24 8-10 69. 

Three-point goals: Liberty Christian-Bishop 6, McClure 4, Dunham, Benson 2. Pomeroy-Bott, Slusser 3, Severs.