A close matchup against the Okarche Warriors left the Preston Pirates just four-points from starting the season with a win. The Pirates traveled to meet the Okarche Warriors in the
A close matchup against the Okarche Warriors left the Preston Pirates just four-points from starting the season with a win. The Pirates traveled to meet the Okarche Warriors in the first game of the season for non-football schools. Despite an early lead in the first quarter, the Warriors tied the game at the half and would bounce back in the fourth quarter to secure a 65-61 win over the Pirates.
A split offensive barrage led by sophomore shooting guard DJ Glover and senior forward Jaden Skupien put the Pirates on the scoreboard in the first quarter. Stepping onto the court as a starter, Glover made it to the basket for three field goals, while Skupien scored two 2s for the Pirates. Senior Jaxson McCullah, freshman Keyton Smith freshman Karaffren Bagby also chimed in with two-point shots, garnering a 16-point lead for the Pirates. Okarche sent junior Devon Aguilera to the free throw line for two, which he completed to put the Pirates ahead with 18 points.
The Warriors had equally matched the Pirates offensive start with a 15-point campaign.
Continuing to find their way to the basket, the Pirates extended their lead in the second quarter; however, the Warriors would match their speed to tie the game 33-33. Skupien fought to get under the basket, scoring two layups against the Warriors. He would be the only Pirate to garner two baskets with Smith and Glover making a two-pointer each. The Warriors broke through with two 2s and a pair of 3s, but it would be free throws for both teams that ended the first half in a tie.
The Warriors sent Glover to the foul line three times throughout the second quarter. He was able to post up and make four out of the five. Skupien, Smith and Aguilera also completed a free throw to put the Pirates right there with the Warriors, 33-33.
Returning with a vengeance in the third quarter, the Pirates quickly recovered their lead over the Warriors going on another 18-point scoring streak. Skupien was unstoppable under the goal, scoring two layups and also making one of the first Pirate three pointers of the night. Freshman Tucker Webb also completed a shot from the three point line, while Glover and McCullah found success near the basket for a pair of 2s. The Warriors, who had bounced back in the second quarter, couldn’t find the right momentum to keep the tie intact. Only able to secure 15 points to the Pirates’ 18, they fell behind in the third quarter 51-48.
With only a three-point barrier between them and the Warriors, the Pirates attempted to keep their scoring streak going but fell short. Depending mainly on free throws, the Pirates were only able to score 10 points in the fourth quarter. Aguilera opened the scoring with a three pointer, but McCullah was the only other one to make it to the basket, scoring a two pointer.
Glover completed three free throws and McCullah secured another two, but the Warriors led a strong last campaign. A barrage of two pointers and a three pointer put the Warriors ahead of the Pirates 65-61. The Warriors garnered four free throws in the fourth quarter that marked the Pirates’ first loss of the season.
Preston is scheduled to travel to Dale to face the Pirates on Friday, Nov. 15 with tipoff at 6:30 p.m.
Consistent shooting on the part of the Lady Pirates core group of starters wasn’t enough to overturn two high octane quarters from the Okarche Lady Warriors last Friday. Opening their 2019 season traveling to Okarche, the Lady Pirates lost their first half lead to the Lady Warriors, who earned a 15-point burst, resulting in their first loss, 44-32.
A slow start from the Lady Warriors gave Rylee Pinkston the perfect opportunity to get the Lady Pirates an early lead. Pinkston opened the Lady Pirates scoring with a three point shot, immediately giving the Lady Pirates a boost. The other four starters for the Lady Pirates – Eunice Lench, Aaliyah Harrison, Maycie Jones and Abbie Long – all made it past Okarche defenders to get close to the basket. Each Lady Pirate scored a two pointer in the first quarter, while the Lady Warriors were held back to just seven points. Lady Warrior Reagan Robinson bolstered her team with a field goal and a three point shot, but it couldn’t overshadow the Lady Pirates first-quarter scoring.
The Lady Pirates held onto their 11-7 lead in the second quarter. Garnering most of their points from the free throw line, they extended their lead to 21-20. Harrison and Jones were able to make it to the basket for a two and three point shot after a foul frenzy. Okarche sent Jones to the free throw line and she was able to complete three of the four free throw shots. The Lady Warriors also fouled Lench, who made one of her two shots, putting the Lady Pirates at 21 points.
With such a close score, the Lady Pirates couldn’t stop the Lady Warriors in the second half. Okarche led a 24-point comeback that put them ahead of the Lady Pirates.
Lady Warriors Marlo Hunt and Rachel McDowell chimed in for a pair of 3s each, which put Okarche just one point behind Preston at the half, 21-20.
Unable to answer, the Lady Pirates fell 44-32 in their season opener. They return to action Friday against Dale.