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Senior forward Trent Gwinn (12) was back in the lineup against Tekoa-Rosalia and didn't disappoint, chalking up 30 points in his first game since an injury on December 18. Gwinn's energy lifted the Buccaneers when they needed it, especially in the fourth quarter when a nice lead evaporated...the Pirates eventually holding on for the 62-60 win. Defending Gwinn is TR's Isaac Bone.
By Loyal Baker
POMEROY––Just when the Pomeroy Pirates would build a comfy lead, the Tekoa-Rosalia Timberwolves would creep back into the game, and when the nice, 10-point, fourth-quarter lead got pared down to just two points, the Pirates were able to hit clutch buckets and keep the T-wolves at bay. When the dust had settled, Pomeroy won the league counter 62-60.
The Pirates are 7-3 overall and 4-0 in league play. They hosted Liberty Christian and visited Asotin in a pair of mid-week non-league games, and return to league action with Gar-Pal on Friday and at SJEL on Saturday.
"This was without a doubt the best we have played offensively this season," commented Head Coach Chris Wolf of the taut, two-point win over T-R.
"Trent Gwinn returned tonight for the first time since December 18 against Yakima Tribal Nation and looked like he hadn't missed a day," Wolf said. "He scored 30 points very efficiently, while providing a spark defensively and on the boards.
"Ollie Severs had a great night with 14 points on seven of nine shooting and eight big points in the fourth quarter," the coach continued. "We saw he had a mismatch, and the boys did a great job of getting him the ball."
Gwinn's and Severs's points, along with Trevin Kimble's 12, were more than a match for the four T-wolf players in double figures.
The game was a classic back-and-forth battle, Wolf said. "We held the lead most of the game, but every time we would jump out to a sizeable lead, they would answer back," he said.
Pomeroy was ahead 18-15 after the first quarter, 34-32 at halftime and 46-45 to start the fourth period.
"We came out at the start of the fourth quarter with a one-point lead and quickly stretched it out to 10," Wolf said. "Tekoa-Rosalia answered back and got within two, but we were able to score clutch baskets down the stretch that kept them from taking the lead.
"We struggled to defend them in stretches but played hard and rebounded really well tonight," Wolf said.
Friday's hair-raiser caused the Bucs to be a bit deflated the next night at Touchet. "Touchet had more intensity in the first half, and we were only up three at the half," Wolf said. "We came out with more intensity in the third quarter and outscored them 24-8 to take control of the game."
Gwinn scored a team-high 15 and Trace Roberts made 10. Nine Pirates were in the scoring column.
"This was a good week for us with three wins and a chance to get to play some games after a long stretch around the holidays with limited games," Wolf said. "We have a big week coming up with four tough games."
In the home game against Touchet January 11, the Indians played physical ball on defense and while rebounding. "We gave up way too many second and third shots," Wolf said. "We played pretty good initial defense but were unable to secure boards which led to easy baskets."
Braedon Fruh had a good game with five points and several key rebounds, Wolf noted, and hopes Fruh continues his rebounding. Kimble scored 24 and Severs made 13 points to lead the way offensively.
Pomeroy 56, Touchet 38 (1/15)
Pom 13 11 24 8-56
Tou 13 8 8 9-38
Pomeroy (56) Fruh 1 1-2 3, Gwinn 7 0-0 15, Bott 1 0-0 2, Slusser 1 0-0 3, Kimble 4 1-1 9, Magill 1 0-0 2, Severs 3 2-3 8, Roberts 5 0-2 10, Vecchio 2 0-2 4, Totals 25 4-10 56.
Touchet (38) Orozco 3 0-0 9, Gonzalez 7 2-4 18, Zessin 0 2-4 2, Godinez 1 0-0 3, Rincon 1 0-0 2, Kincaid 2 0-0 4, Totals 14 4-8 38.
Three-point goals Pomeroy, Gwinn, Jett Slusser, Touchet Orozco 3, Gonzalez 2, Godinez
Pomeroy 62, Tekoa-Rosalia 60 (1/14)
Pom 18 16 12 16-62
TR 15 17 13 15-60
Pomeroy (62) Gwinn 10 8-10 30, Kimble 5 2-5 12, Severs 7 0-0 14, Roberts 3 0-0 6. Totals 25 10-15 62
Tekoa-Rosalia (60) Martin 4 0-0 11, McDonald 3 1-1 8, Bone 8 1-2 19, French 6 0-0 12, Gehring 5 0-0 10. Totals 26 2-3 60
Three-pointers-TR Martin 3, McDonald 2, Bone 2. Pomeroy, Gwinn 2.
Pomeroy 53, Touchet 43 (1/11)
Pom 12 18 10 13-53
Tou 9 10 11 13-43
Pomeroy (53) Fruh 2 1-3 5, Bott 1 0-0 2, Jett Slusser 1 0-0 3, Kimble 9 6-9 24, Magill 1 0-0 2, Severs 5 2-6 12, Roberts 1 3-6 5. Totals 20 12-24 53
Touchet (43) Orozco 2 0-0 5, Gonzalez 4 3-6 13, Zessin 1 1-4 5, Godeniz 2 0-0 6, Krunback 1 0-0 2, Huntley 2 0-0 4, Kincaid 4 0-0 8, Totals 17 4-10 43
Three-point goals-Touchet Orozco, Gonzalez 2, Godeniz 2, Pomeroy Slusser.
