A driving coast to coast layup at the buzzer sent the Pirate faithful home happy on Friday night as the Pirates escaped the Fort with a 2 point win. The Putnam County League game at Fort Jennings started with Military Appreciation night. A double color guard featuring Continental and Fort Jennings American Legion’s Post members started the night. Veterans from both communities were escorted to the court and were greeted by all the players and cheerleaders from both sides. A truly moving start to a great game.
The Musketeers started out the nights scoring by hitting a 3 which was followed by a Pirate basket by Reed Warnement. A basket by the Musketeers was met with a Pirate 10 point run with Mitchell Coleman hitting a 2 and 2 three’s and Warnement closing the run with a 2. Pirates 12, Musketeers 5. A Musketeer 3 was followed up by a Warnement 2 to make it Pirates 14, Musketeers 8.
The Pirates Coleman would open up the scoring in the second quarter hitting a basket. That was matched by the Musketeers and would be the only scoring for the quarters. Pirates 16, Musketeers 13 at half.
The third quarter had a little more offense than the second when both team scored 2 points but not much. The Pirates would open up the quarter by scoring the first 5 points as Coleman starting the quarters scoring with a 3 and that was followed by a Warnement 2. Pirates 21, Musketeers 13. That would be all the scoring for the Pirates for the quarter as the Musketeers would score the final 7 points of the quarter by hitting the game’s first 4 free throws and a 3. Pirates 21, Musketeers 20 after 3.
The fourth quarter was wild as both teams offense’s would find their groove. Coleman would hit a 2 to make it a 3 point Pirate game 23-20. A 3 by the Musketeers made it even at 23. Pirate Coleman would hit a 3 which was matched by a Musketeer 3 to make it 26 all. Another 3 by Coleman was met with a Musketeer 4 point run (a 3 and a made free throw) to give the Musketeer their first lead since early in the game. Musketeers 30, Pirates 29. A 3 by Coleman would make it Pirates 32, Musketeers 30. The Musketeers would hit a basket and a free throw to make it Musketeers 33, Pirates 32. A pair of free throws by Coleman would give the Pirates a 1 point lead 34-33. With 4.4 seconds to go the Pirates would foul the Musketeers. The Musketeers would miss the first shot but make the second to make it a tie at 34. The Pirates inbounded the ball to Coleman who drove it up the left sideline toward the basket and loafed a layup that hit high on the board and right through the net with no time left. Pirates 36, Musketeers 34.
Only two Pirates would score in the nights win as Coleman hit for 28 and Warnement scored 8. Coleman made 6 three’s – most well beyond the line. Coleman hit the only 2 free throws the Pirates would take. After last week’s Ayersville game where 53 free throws were taken this game only had 13. Continental 2-2, Fort Jennings 5-9.
With the win Continental doubles last year win total and move to 2-12 (1-2 PCL). The Pirates host the #1 team in Division III Archbold on Saturday. Fort Jennings falls to 2-11 (0-3 PCL).
Continental High student Ellie Schwartzman was sang the National Anthem as part of a Continental/Fort Jennings duet. Ellie and friends (Maddie Burke and Connor Maag) joined up with the Musketeer Pep Band.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
