For the third time in 2021-2022, the Preston varsity basketball program came away with a split decision.

The lastest 1-1 record came Monday evening against the visiting Warner Eagles and Lady Eagles at the Jim Waller Event Center in Preston.

The host Preston Lady Pirates fell to 1-2 on the year with a 45- 35 setback in Monday’s opening contest, while the Preston Pirates improved to 2-1 on the season in the nightcap, defeating the visitors by a 65-43 margin.

The Preston cage squads were back in action on Tuesday, traveling to Kellyville for a showdown with the host Kellyville Ponies and Lady Ponies.

Results of Tuesday’s road trip to Kellyville were not available at presstime. See Friday’s edition for complete details of the battle in Kellyville.

After Tuesday’s meeting with Kellyville, the next scheduled contest for the Pirates and Lady Pirates is next Tuesday (December 7) at Eufaula. That road game could be rescheduled to a later date if the Eufaula football team reaches the Class 2A title game.

In Monday’s girls game against Warner, the Lady Pirates were outscored 8-6 in the low-scoring first period, then came out of the second stanza with a 15-4 margin to take a 21-12 advantage into the halftime break.

The Preston ladies were unable to keep their lead in the second half, as Warner took the final two frames by margins of 18-7 and 15-7, respectively, to hand the host Lady Pirates the 45-35 setback.

Adrianne Wilson was the top scorer for Preston in the home loss, finishing with seven points. Jaydn Roberts was next for the Lady Pirates with six, followed by Emilie Stidman with five. The remaining scorers for Preston against Warner were Ashlynn Foster, McKenna Jones, and Mya Tiger with four points apiece, Pheobey Finch three, and Shaunassi Jordan two.

In Monday’s boys contest, the Pirates led by five, 14-9, after one and 32-14 at halftime.

The Preston gentlemen came out of the high-scoring, back-and-forth, third period with a 23-19 advantage to extend their lead to 21 points, 54- 33, heading into the final eight minutes of regulation.

Warner attempted a comeback in the final frame, but the host Pirates edged the visitors 11-10 in the quarter to walk off their home floor with the 65-43 decision.

Jervais Goree led all scorers with a game-high 23 points. Malachi Ligons (12) and Markhi Johnson (10) also reached double figures for the victorious Pirates, followed by Orlando Bagby with nine.

Other Preston scorers against Warner were Keyton Smith with six, Brady Long and Kareffren Bagby two each, and Cooper Ausbrooks one.

--- Girls Game

Warner 45, Preston 35

Warner: 8 - 4 - 18 - 15 (45)

Preston: 6 - 15 - 7 - 7 (35)

Preston Scoring: Adrianne Wilson 7, Jaydn Roberts 6, Emilie Stidman 5, Ashlynn Foster 4, McKenna Jones 4, Mya Tiger 4, Pheobey Finch 3, Shaunassi Jordan 2. ---

Boys Game

Preston 65, Warner 43

Warner: 9 - 5 - 19 - 10 (43)

Preston: 14 - 18 - 23 - 11 (65)

Preston Scoring: Jervais Goree 23, Malachi Ligons 12, Markhi Johnson 10, Orlando Bagby 9, Keyton Smith 6, Brady Long 2, Kareffren Bagby 2, Cooper Ausbrooks 1.