The theme of the game on Friday night for both teams was where were the points going to come from. Host Continental and visiting Miller City engaged in a defensive struggle that was decided by a pair of 8 point Wildcat runs late in the game. The Pirates opened up the scoring with a Monty Rayle basket more than 2 minutes into the game. The Wildcats would match the Pirates to tie the game. Another Monty Rayle basket and a 3 by Mason Rayle put the Pirates up 7-2. A 3 by the Wildcats made it Pirates 7-5. Rhenn Armey would push the Pirate lead to 4 with a basket. The Wildcats would hit a free throw to finish off the first quarter scoring. Pirates 9-6 after 1.
Konnor Knipp Williams would hit a free throw to put the Pirates up 10-6. A trio of basket put the Wildcats in charge 12-10. Armey put the Pirates back in the lead by hitting a 3, Pirates 13-12. A Wildcat basket and free throw would make it Wildcats 15-13. Knipp Williams would make a basket to finish off the Pirates scoring in the half at 15. The Wildcats would make 2 baskets to take a 19-15 lead into the locker room at half.
Knipp Williams opened up the second half scoring with a steal and a dunk to make it a 2 point game. A Pirate steal and another Knipp Williams basket tied the game at 19. The Wildcats would hit 2 baskets and 2 free throws to take the lead for good 25-19. A 3 by Mason Rayle halved the Wildcat lead to 3, 25-22. A Wildcat basket would make it 27-22 after 3.
The Wildcats would put in the first 6 points of the fourth quarter to take a 33-22 lead. A Carson Etter basket was followed by another 8 point Wildcat run. Wildcats 41-24. A Carons Etter basket and Monty Rayle 3 made it a 12 point game, Wildcats 41-29. The Wildcats would put in the next 4 points and the Pirates would finish off the night’s scoring with a Knipp Williams basket. Wildcats 45-29 final.
Konnor Knipp Williams led the Pirates with 9 points while Monty Rayle put in 7. Mason Rayle scored 6, Rhenn Armey 5, and Carson Etter 4. The Pirates made four 3 pointers, Mason Rayle 2, Rhenn Armey and Monty Rayle 1 each. The Wildcats made one 3 pointer.
Continental falls to 4-8 (1-1 PCL) and will travel to Fort Jennings on Friday. Miller City improves to 6-4 (2-1 PCL). Miller City won the Junior Varsity contest 47-11.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
