Third-quarter scoring advantage helps Pirates defeat Penquis
By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer
GUILFORD — After being tied at halftime at 20 points apiece, the Piscataquis Community High School boys used a 12-5 scoring advantage in the third quarter to help defeat regional rival Penquis Valley High School, 41-30, in a Class C North matchup on Dec. 18. The win was the first of the season for the Pirates (1-5) and the squad matched the record of the Patriots when play concluded.
PCHS senior Ben Morrill and sophomore Bryce Gilbert opened the second half of play with field goals before a 3-pointer by Penquis junior Justin Valvo made the score 24-23. From there, the Pirates went on an 8-2 run to close out the quarter and build a 32-25 advantage. Morrill and Gilbert each had four points in the third quarter, part of respective 16- and 13-point performances to account for over 70 percent of their team’s scoring output.
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BOYS BASKETBALL PCHS 41, Penquis 30 PENQ 11 9 5 5 | 30 PCHS 7 13 12 9 | 41 Penquis: Artus 11, Valvo 11, Preble 6 and Zambrano 2. PCHS: Morrill 16, Gilbert 13, True 4, Kane 3, Leavitt 3 and Drew 2. Records: Penquis 1-5, PCHS 1-5. |
In the fourth quarter, after a Morrill layup, Patriot senior Charles Artus connected on a shot from behind the 3-point line to make the contest a two-possession game at 34-28. Artus and Valvo both reached double figures with 11 points apiece.
The Pirate defense then held the opposition off the scoreboard until later in the quarter. PCHS took advantage of being in the bonus and then double bonus to increase the team’s lead to eight at 36-28 behind a foul shot from both sophomore Cameron Kane and then senior Brandon Leavitt.
Gilbert drove around a screen by the baseline for a layup for the last two of his baker’s dozen point total, to put the Pirates up 38-28 late in the contest. Patriot sophomore Noah Zambrano scored in the low post to get the two back, but soon after a Morrill layup, the last two of his game-high output, extended PCHS’ advantage to 10 points once again.
Morrill was fouled on the shot, and he converted the free throw to finish the 3-point play to close out the 41-30 victory.
The two teams are scheduled to play again in Milo on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
12 ON 12 — Penquis junior Justin Valvo shoots over PCHS sophomore Cameron Kane, with Patriot junior Colin Beckett in the background, during a Dec. 18 game in Guilford. The Pirates defeated the Patriots 41-30 to earn the team’s first victory of 2015-16.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
LAYING IT UP — Penquis junior Clayton Preble gets a shot off over the reach of PCHS sophomore Bryce Gilbert. Gilbert scored 13 points in his team’s 41-30 victory, while Preble picked up six for the Patriots.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
SCREEN TIME — Sophomore Bryce Gilbert has a path to the hoop cleared for him by sophomore Cameron Kane during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game vs. Penquis. In on the defense are Patriot junior Clayton Preble as well as freshman Jake Baker (20).
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
HANDS ON DEFENSE — Junior Jarrod White hauls in a loose ball away from Penquis sophomore Noah Zambrano, as Pirate senior Ben Morrill looks on. The squads ended the game with matching records of 1-5.