A great start by Continental High gradually unraveled as Leipsic hit the winning basket in the waning seconds of Tuesdays Putnam County League boys basketball game. The Vikings took an early 2-0 lead only to have the Pirates Andrew Hoeffel tie the game with a basket. A 3 by the Vikings spotted them with their biggest lead of the game 5-2. It was the Pirates the rest of the quarter as they went on a 17 point run to finish off the quarter. The Pirates would get 11 points from Gavin Huff during the run as he put in 4 baskets and a 3, Konnor Knipp Williams would put in 2 baskets and Wyatt Davis would finish off the run with a basket for a Pirates 19-5 lead after 1.The second quarter had the Vikings open up the scoring with a pair of free throws. Pirates 19-7. The Pirates Huff would hit a 3 to make it 22-7. The two teams traded baskets with Knipp Williams making one for the Pirates 24-19. The Vikings would cut into the Pirates game high 15 point lead when they would string together 9 points three baskets and a 3. Pirates 24-18. The Pirates would get baskets from Huff and Knipp Williams to end the half with a 10 point lead. Pirates 28-18.
The second half was all Vikings at the start as they put in the first 7 points of the half to make it a 3 point game 28-25. The Pirates would rally and put in the last 5 points of the third quarter when Huff would make a free throw and Knipp Williams would make 4 baskets. Pirates 33-25 heading into the final 8 minutes.
The fourth quarter was all about the foul line as the Vikings would convert 10-10 while the Pirates would struggle with 7-12. The Vikings would open up the quarter with a basket to make it a 6 point game 33-27. The Pirates would claim a 10 point lead as Hoeffel and Knipp Williams would make baskets Pirates 37-27. The Viking would make a basket that was followed by a Pirate made free throw Davis to make it 38-29 Pirates. The Vikings would score 10 of the next 12 points to make it a 1 point game 40-39 Pirates with Hoeffel making a pair of free throws for the Pirates. A 4 point run by they Pirates put them up by 5 as Alex Sharritts would make 1 free throw and Rhenn Armey make 3. Pirates 44-39. The Vikings would finish the game with the final 5 points with the last two from a basket made with 8 seconds left. The Pirates final attempt to win was blocked. Vikings escape with a 45-44 win.
Continental was led with Gavin Huff scoring 17 and Konnor Knipp Williams putting in 14. Andrew Hoeffel put in 6, Wyatt Davis and Rhenn Aremy both put in 3 while Alex Sharritts scored 1. Huff made two 3’s for the Pirates as they shot 2-6 from 3 point land. The Pirates shot an excellent 17-34 and were 8-16 from the line. The Vikings were 14-44 from the field and 15-17 from the line. Huff and Knipp Williams both pulled down 8 rebounds for the Pirates.
Continental falls to 2-7 (0-1 PCL) and will travel to Bluffton on Wednesday for the opening round of the McDonald’s Holiday Tournament where they will face Arlington on Wednesday in the first game. Leipsic improves to 4-3 (2-1 PCL). The Vikings took a thrilling 37-34 Junior Varsity game.
It was a busy night at the Cove, in addition to the basketball, the Cheerleaders had a dance routine performed at the halftime of the Junior Varsity game with a surprise visit by Santa Claus. A number of fundraisers to benefit the Scott Prowant family were held. Scott passed away in early October and is the father of Cheerleader Jensen.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
