The Continental High Boys Basketball team could not hold off the visiting Ayersville Pilots on Saturday in a non league game. Continental opened the game up with the first 5 points. Knipp Williams and Gavin Huff each put in a basket and a foul shot and Wyatt Davis. A basket by the Pilots was followed by another 5 point Pirate run as Andrew Hoeffel put in a free throw and Konnor Knipp Williams and Huff put in a a basket each . Pirates 10-2. The two teams would trade baskets, with Huff hitting for the Pirates to finish off the quarter scoring. Pirates 12-4.
Hoeffel opened up the second quarter scoring to push the Pirate lead to 10. A pair of made free throws and a basket by the Pilots made it 14-8. Davis would put in a basket for the Pirates which was followed by a Pilot 3. Pirates 16-11. The Pirates would go on a 5 point run with Huff making a basket and Alex Sharrits making a basket and a free throw. Pirates up by 10, 21-11. The teams would exchange made free throws with Huff hitting for the Pirates 22-12. The Pilots would end the quarter scoring 6 of the 7 points with Hoeffel making a free throw for the Pirates. Pirates 23-18 at half. A key stat line in the second quarter had the Pilots 5 of 6 from the line while the Pirates were 3 of 9.
The Pilots would make it a 3 point game by hitting the first basket. Pirates 23-20. Baskets by Huff and Knipp Williams pushed the Pirates lead back to 7, 27-20. A Pilot basket was followed by a pair of Knipp Williams free throws to make it 29-22. The Pilots would go on a 6 point run which was stopped when Huff made a 3. Pirates 32-38. After a pair of Pilot made free throws and things got interesting. Knipp Williams committed a blocking foul on a shot on one side of the basket and 3 players landed on the ground on the other side going for the rebound (with Hoeffel representing the Pirates). A Pilot player left the bench. After a lengthy referee conference the Pilots were awarded 2 free throws and the Pirates awarded 2 free throws and the ball. The Pilots made one of their free throws while the Pirates Davis made both of theirs for a 34-31 Pirate lead. The Pilots would put in the final 2 points at the buzzer to make it a 1 point game heading into the 4th. Pirates 34-33.
The Pilots would take their first lead of the night when they would put in a pair of baskets to open the fourth, Pilots 37-34. The Pirates would retake the lead when Huff would make a free throw and Rhenn Armey made a 3. Pirates 38-37. Three made free throws by the Pilots would put them up 40-38. Davis would go 2-2 from the line to tie the game at 40. The Pilots would take the lead for good with a 6 point run. Pilots 46-40. Huff would make a 3 at the buzzer for a 46-43 Pilot decision.
Gavin Huff led the Pirates with 19 points while Wyatt Davis put in 8. Konnor Knipp Williams scored 6, Andrew Hoeffel 4, and Rhenn Armey and Alex Sharrits 3 each. Huff made two 3 pointers and Armey 1. The Pilots made one 3 pointer. The Pilots were 17-23 from the line while the Pirates were 14-25.
The Pirates fall to 3-10 and will host Fort Jennings in a Putnam County League game. This game will also celebrate the 1972 State team and will be mini cheerleader night. Ayersville improves to 9-2.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
