Mason Rayle made seven 3 pointers and Monty Rayle had 3 as the Pirates hit 11 over to defeat Putnam County League Rival Leipsic on Thursday night (12/22). It was apropos that the first points of the game was a 3 pointer from Jonathon Etter. The Pirates added field goals by Mason Rayle and Konnor Knipp Williams to take and early 7-0 lead. The Vikings would make it a 3 point game with a pair of baskets but that would be it for points for them in the first. The Pirates would finish off the quarter with 3s from Mason and Monty Rayle. Pirates 13-6 after 1. The second quarter was all Vikings as they would outpoint the Pirates 15-5 to take a 19-18 Viking lead at half. Mason Rayle hit his second 3 and Knipp Williams added a basket for the Pirates points.
The Pirates controlled the third quarter as they outscored the Vikings by 10. Knipp Williams opened up the second half scoring with a basket Pirates 20-19. A pair of Viking free throws was followed by a Knipp Williams 3 point play and a pair of Mason Rayle 3s. Pirates 29-21. The Vikings would rally with a free throw, a 3 point play and a basket to make it 29-27. Mason Rayle would put in 2 more 3s to make it 37-27 Pirates. The Vikings would finish off the third quarter scoring with a free throw. Pirates 37-28 after 3. The Vikings would put in a basket to start the fourth and make it a 7 point game Pirates 37-30. Monty Rayle would drain a pair of 3s to put the Pirate lead to 13, 43-30. A Viking 3 was matched by Mason Rayle and bettered by a Knipp Williams 3 point play. Pirates 49-33. A 3 point play by the Vikings made it Pirates 49-36. A basket and free throw by Carson Etter put the Pirates back up by 16, 52-36. A free throw and 3 by the Vikings made it Pirates 52-30. Mason Rayle finished his night with a pair of free throws to put the Pirates up 54-40. The Vikings would score 5 of the last 7 points to make it Pirates 56-45 final.
Mason Rayle led the Pirates with a new career high of 25 points. Konnor Knipp Williams put in 12 points, Monty Rayle 9, Rhenn Armey 4, and Carson Etter and Jonathon Etter 3. The Pirates had eleven 3 pointers with Mason Rayle making 7, Monty Rayle 3, and Jonathon Etter 1. The Vikings made three 3 pointers. Continental was 7/12 from the free throw line. The Vikings were 11/14.
Continental improves to 4-5 (1-0 PCL) and will play Arlington on Thursday in the Bluffton McDonalds Holiday Tournament at 5:30. Leipsic falls to 2-4 (0-3 PCL).
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
