Those expecting a close, hard fought game Friday as Hicksville hosted Continental Boys got that for the first half, the second half was another story. The Aces opened up the scoring by hitting a pair of free throws. The Pirates took the lead when Jonathon Etter hit a 3 for a 3-2 Pirate lead. The teams exchanged baskets with Mason Rayle hitting for the Pirates. A pair of Aces free throws was followed by a Jonathon Etter basket. Pirates 7-6. The next 6 points were scored by the Aces as a full court press paid dividends. Aces 12-7. A Jonathon Etter free throw would stop that run but the Aces would score the next basket. Carson Etter hit a 3 to finish the Pirate first quarter total at 11. The Aces would convert a 3 point play to take a 17-11 lead after 1.
The Pirates would make it a 3 point game when Preston Wilson would hit a 3. Aces 17-14. An Aces free throw was followed by baskets from Monty Rayle and Peyton Wilson to make it 18 all. The Aces would regain the lead with a basket 20-18. The Pirates would get a basket from Preston Wilson and take the quarter 9-3. Pirates Aces 20 all at half. The second half was all Aces as their full court press paid off. The Aces would score 13 of the first 14 points of the second half with a free throw from Monty Rayle being the only Pirate points. Aces 33-22. The teams would trade baskets to finish off the third quarter with Carson Etter scoring for the Pirates. Aces 35-23. It was all Aces in the fourth as they would put in 14 points to the Pirates 1 with Jonathon Etter scoring for the Pirates with a free throw. Aces 49-24 final.
Jonathon Etter and Carson Etter both scored 6 to lead the Pirates. Preston Wilson had 5, Monty Rayle 3, Mason Rayle and Peyton Wilson 2 each. Jonathon Etter, Carson Etter and Preston Wilson each made one 3 pointers. The Aces did not make a 3 pointer. The Aces were 11-13 from the line while the Pirates were 3-6.
Continental falls to 0-3 and will host Lincolnview on Saturday for the home opener. Hicksville improves to 1-2.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
