The last two games Continental Boys Basketball team were in, it was practically over before it started as the opposition opened up a big lead in the first half on their way to a big win. Thursday night against Putnam County League rival Pandora Gilboa it looked like the same script as the Rocket held a 17 point lead at half. If you left at that point you missed a great comeback, a record tying performance, and more basketball followed by more basketball .
The game started out all Rockets as they put in the first 12 points of the game with 3 baskets and a pair of 3 pointers. Freshmen Andrew Hoeffel put the Pirates on the board with a bucket. Rockets 12, Pirates 2. Another pair of 3 pointers by the Rockets gave them 18 while the Pirates put 2 more on the board as Freshmen Gavin Huff made a basket. A 3 point play by the Rockets finished their first quarter scoring while Sophomore Mitchell Coleman hit a basket at the buzzer to make it 21-6 Rockets after 1.
A Rocket basket opened up the second quarter scoring giving them 23. Senior Taron Butler got on the board for the Pirates with a basket to make it 23-8, Rockets. A basket and a free throw opened up an 18 point lead for the Rockets 26-8. The Pirates would put together 5 points as Coleman hit a 3 and Huff a 2 to make it 26-13 Rockets. The Rockets closed out the second quarter with a basket and a pair of made free throws for a 30-13 Rocket advantage at half. At half the Rockets had made 4 threes to the Pirates 1 and were 4-5 from the line.
Following a spirited halftime dance act by the Pirate Cheerleaders, it was the Rockets who came out of the locker with the first points. A basket by the Rockets game them a game high 19 point lead 32-13. The Pirates offense got in motion as they put in the next 12 points as Huff and Sophomore Reed Warnement both hit 2 pointers and Coleman put in the next 8 points on a pair of made free throws and a pair of three-pointers. Rockets 32, Pirates 25. A basket by the Rockets was followed by another Coleman 3 to make it 34-28 Rockets. A 4 point Rocket run was stopped when Coleman hit a 3 before the buzzer to make it Rockets 38 Pirates 31 after 3. Coleman made 4 three-pointers in the third helping the Pirates to a 18-8 advantage.
The fourth quarter would have the Pirates open up with the first 8 points to take a 39-38 lead. Warnement started the Pirates 4th with a 3 and it was followed by basket from Junior Jaden Warner. A 3 by Coleman gave the Pirates the lead. A free throw by the Rockets tied the game at 39. A steal and an assist by Coleman put the Pirates back in the lead when Butler put in the basket. Pirates 41, Rockets 39. A pair of threes would give the Rockets a 4 point lead at 45-41. A pair of 3s from Coleman put the Pirates back on top 47-45. A Rocket basket would tie it up at 47. Both teams would have chances at the end as the Pirates held the ball till 25 second only to turn it over. The Rockets would get off a last shot and follow that would not fall only to be awarded 2 free throws with no time left. Neither free throw was made and the score after 4 was 47 all.
The first overtime saw no points scored. The Pirates had the ball in Coleman’s hand with 5 seconds to go. Coleman got off a shot that missed, he gathered the rebound, and put up another shot that went in. After a short conference by the referees the second shot was ruled to come after the buzzer. 47 all heading to the second overtime.
The second overtime was all Rockets as they missed their first free throw but put in a basket to take a 49-47 lead. They would then go 8 for 8 from the line while the Pirates would get 2 from Warner. Rockets 57, Pirates 49 final.
The Pirates would outscore the Rockets 34-17 in the second half fueled by 9 three-pointers. The Rockets would be 4-8 from the line in regulation but 8-9 in the overtimes. The Pirates made the only 2 free throws they took on the night.
Mitchell Coleman led the Pirates with 28 points while Gavin Huff added 6. Reed Warnement put in 5, Jaden Warner and Taron Butler both had 4, and Andrew Hoeffel put in 2. Coleman made 8 three-pointers while Warnement made 1. Coleman’s 8 threes ties the school record for threes in a game with Scott Keck in 2007. Coleman’s 7 three-pointers in a half is probably a school record. The Pirates made 9 threes to the Rockets 6.
Continental falls to 3-19 (1-7 PCL) and will travel to Van Wert on Tuesday to play Lima Central Catholic at 8:00. Pandora improves to 14-7 (3-4 PCL).
Thursday was Senior night. The basketball team had 3 Seniors on the roster Taron Butler, Jaden Warner, and Zach Moran. There are 6 senior cheerleaders Brooke Bradford, Jamie Etter, Brooke Davis, Kaytlin Bibler, Breanne Eickholt, and Sierra Prowant. Thanks for an entertaining regular season and good luck in tournament and in your future paths
Senior Riley Fenter and Freshman Ellie Schwartzman sang the national anthem. Zsports and WPMN broadcast the game.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
