Friday @ Kalida: Continental (7-12) played the Homecoming spoiler role in the Friday evening game at Kalida (10-9). Hitting on all cylinders the Pirates opened up to a 16-9 lead after one. Kalida outscored the Pirates in the second 7-5 but were still down by 5 at half 21-16. The third quarter was another close one with the Pirates scoring 10 and the Wildcats scoring 8 for a 31-24 end of frame score. In a high scoring 4th, the Wildcats scored 17 and the Pirates 16 for a 47-41 Continental finale. Continental’s win was driven by hot shooting, making 6-7 from 3 point land. Wade Staffer hit 3 of those 3s and led Continental with 14 points, Gabe Williams also scored 13 points. Stellar bench play from Zach Schwarzman (7 points, 2 3s) and Joey Swager (2 points and 6 rebounds) also helped the Pirate cause.
Saturday @ Home: Senior night… last home game.. big win… Coming off the win against Kalida on Friday night, the Pirates (8-12) started slow but finished strong in a 50-40 win over the Tinora Rams (13-6). After introducing all the senior stats, cheerleaders, and players the Pirates started all 5 seniors to begin the sendoff. Vernon Prowant, Matthew Bracken, and Adam Lawhorn joined regular starters Austin Mansfield and Tyler Rue in the starting rotation. That lineup played the first 3 minutes of the game and left with the Rams having a 2-0 lead. The Rams built onto that lead to have a 10-6 lead 1st break. The Pirates outscored the Rams 13-8 for a 19-18 lead at half. Halftime had the cheerleaders perform their dance routine. The third quarter was more of the second with the Pirates building onto their lead outscoring the Rams by 8 for a 3rd quarter break score of 35-26. The rough and tumble action continued in the fourth (40 fouls were called during the game) as the Pirates completed the win outscoring the Rams by 1 in the period, for the 50-40 win.
The Pirates were led by Gabe Williams with 11 points. Tyler Rue had an unofficial double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Austin Mansfield and Derek Troyer contributed 7.
A big thank you to the group of BGSU Band students who came to the game to play along side the CHS Pep Band – awesome sound!
The Pirates close out the regular season on the road with games at Holgate (Thursday night) and Pandora Gilboa (Friday night). On Wednesday Feb 19 the Girls open the tournament at Paulding by taking on the Ayersville Pilots at 6:15.
— Mike Jones
Photos by Kelly Sarka
