On Saturday night Continental High Boys Varsity jumped out to a 7 point lead after the first quarter and expanded on the lead the next 2 quarters and then held on in the 4th quarter for the 65-63 victory. Pirate Carson Etter put in the first 2 points of the game only to have visiting Lima Temple Christian do the same. Jonathon Etter would score two for the Pirates only to have the Pioneers match it. A basket by Carson Etter was followed by a Pioneer 3 to put the Pioneers up by 1. This was the Pioneers only lead. Continental would get 2 baskets from Konnor Knipp Williams and one by Brady Thomsen to put them up 12-7. The Pioneers stopped the Pirates run with a 3. The Pirates would close out the quarter with 5 points via a basket from Rhenn Armey and a 3 by Carson Etter at the buzzer. Pirates 17-10 after 1.
The Pioneers would put in the first 2 points of the second quarter only to have the Pirates follow it up with a 5 point rally. Mason Rayle hit a 3 and Knipp William 2. Pirates 22-12. The Pioneers would cut into the Pirate lead by 8 of the next 10 points. Pioneer made a pair of 3s and a basket while the Pirates got a basket from Knipp Williams. Continental 24-20. The Pirates would then score 7 of the next 9 to expand their lead to 31-22. Knipp William would get a 3 point play and basket while Carson Etter a basket. The two teams would trade baskets to finish off the half with Jonathon Etter scoring for the Pirates. Pirates 33-24 at half.
The second half start was all Pioneers as they put in the first 9 points to tie the score at 33. The Pirates would match that run with a 3 from Mason Rayle, a 3 point play from Armey and a 3 from Carson Etter. The Pioneer would then put in 5 of the next 8 points to make it 44-38. Knipp Williams would put in a pair of free throws for the Pirates points. Continental would put in the final 5 points of the third quarter on a Thomsen basket and free throw and a Monty Rayle basket at the buzzer to make it Pirates 49-38.
A fast paced fourth quarter was in store for the fans at the game as 39 points were scored in the 4th quarter. The Pirates would build their lead to 15 with baskets from Carson Etter and Mason Rayle, Pirates 53-38. The two teams would trade baskets with Knipp Williams hitting for the Pirates. Pirates 55-40. A Pioneer 4 point run was matched by the Pirates when Knipp Williams would make a 3 point play and Carson Etter made a free throw. Pirates 59-44. The Pioneers would rip off the next 11 points to make it a 4 point game 59-55. The Pioneer run was stopped by a Jonathon Etter made free throw. Pirates 60-55. A Pioneer basket was followed by a pair of Carson Etter free throws. Pirates 62-57. A Pioneer 3 made it a 2 point game 62-60. A pair of made free throws by Jonathon Etter pushed the Pirates lead to 4, 64-60. The Pioneers would hit a 3 to make it a 1 point game and put the Pirates on the line with 5.8 seconds. The Pirates did not make either of the free throws but Freshman Thomsen pulled down the rebound and then made 1 free throw with 3.8 seconds left to put the Pirates up 65-63.
Konnor Knipp Williams led the Pirates with 20 points. Carson Etter put in 15 points. Jonathon Etter put in 9, Mason Rayle 8, Brady Thomsen 6, Rhenn Armey 5, and Monty Rayle 2. Jonathon Etter and Carson Etter hit 2 3s each for the Pirates. The Pioneers made 7 3s. The Pirates were 13-22 from the line.
Continental improves to 1-1 and will host Hicksville on Friday. Lima Temple Christian falls to 0-1.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter