Lots of storylines when Leipsic went to Continental for Boys Basketball action on Tuesday. Early Putnam County leadership was on the line for the Pirates while the Vikings were eager to make their record 1-1. Popcorn machine was back up and popping. Pirate sports cards in stock for stocking stuffers. All around a festive mood.
The game was a defensive battle as both teams struggled to get great shot opportunities. Pirate Monty Rayle opened up the scoring with a 3. Tyson Clementz stole the ball on the press and converted a contested layup to put the Pirates up 5-0. A basket by the Vikings would be their only points in the first to cut the Pirates lead to 3. The Pirates would close out the first quarter scoring with a pair of baskets from Collin Hammond and a basket by Clementz. Pirates 11-2 after 1.
The Vikings opened up the second with a 3 which was followed by a Nolan Cordes basket. A Viking free throw and basket made it Pirates 13-8. The Pirates would string together a 7 point run with Quinn Tegenkamp making a basket and a 3 and Cordes a pair of free throws. Pirates 20-8. A Viking free throw finished off the second quarter scoring. Pirates 20-9 at half. A 3 by the Vikings cut the Pirates lead to 8, 20-12. Rayle converted a 3 point play to put the Pirates back up by 12. A second three for the Vikings in the half was followed by a Cordes basket. Pirates 25-15. A 6 point run by the Vikings cut the Pirates lead to 4, 25-21. The Pirates closed the third with a 6 point run of their own with Cordes hitting a three, Rayle free throw and Jackson a pair of free throws. Pirates 31-21 heading into the final quarter.
The Vikings put in the first 7 points of the quarter to make it a one possession game 31-28. The Pirates would make 5 free throws with Cordes making 2, Tegenkamp 1 and Rayle 2 to put the lead back up to 8, 36-28 Pirates. A pair of free throws by the Vikings made it a 6 point game. Cordes would make a pair of basket while the Vikings made a free throw to finish off the game. Pirates 40-31 winner.
Nolan Cordes led the Pirates with 15 points. Monty Rayle added 9. Quinn Tegenkamp put in 6. Collin Hammond and Tyson Clementz both scored 4. Jackson Bidlack scored 2. Both teams made four 3 pointers with the Pirates getting 2 from Cordes and 1 each from Rayle and Tegenkamp. The Pirates were 11-19 from the line while the Vikings were 7-13.
Continental improves to 3-6 (1-0 PCL) and will travel to Delphos Jefferson on Tuesday. Leipsic falls to 0-6 (0-2 PCL).
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
