Bluejays Basketball
Bluejays Take Down Warriors
by Kaleb Zamora
The varsity Bluejay basketball team faced off against Crofton at home on Thursday, January 25. They defeated the Warriors 48-36.
Pierce’s offense found a rhythm in the first quarter as they scored 20 points to Crofton’s nine. Helping the Jays with their efforts were Braydan Waldner with eight points, Dalton Freeman with six, and Taylor Oestrich with six. It was a little bit tougher for the Jays in the second, as they scored seven points, all courtesy of Waldner, to Crofton’s seven to make it 27-16. In the third quarter, Crofton stepped up their game as they outscored the Bluejays 13-12. Leading the Jays in scoring in the third was Waldner with nine points, followed by Gavin Larson with three points. In the 4th quarter the Bluejays started to gain control again at the end of the game. Helping them with points were Larson with three points, Jadon Magdanz with two points, and Freeman with two. The game ended with the Bluejays winning 48-36.
Leading in points, blocks, and rebounds of this game was Waldner with 26 points, two blocks, and five rebounds. Leading the team in assists was Taylor Oestrich with six. And in steals, Freeman led the team with five.
The Bluejays’ next games were played in the Mid-State tournament, which began Tuesday, January 30, and will continue Thursday, February 1.
Bluejays Fall Short in Overtime
by Annie Johnson
The Bluejay basketball team traveled to Battle Creek on Saturday, January 20, to take on the Braves. The team fell short by a score of 43-45 due to a buzzer beater in overtime.
Braydan Waldner started the first quarter with six points followed by Taylor Oestreich with a two-point shot from the inside. Waldner contributed another point to the scoreboard with a free throw. Jadon Magdanz ended the quarter by driving to the basket and putting up another two points for the Jays. Pierce’s defense kept the Braves at six points and ended the first with a score of 11-6.
In the second quarter, the Jays and Braves went neck-and-neck, each team scoring four points. T. Oestreich and Waldner were the primary scorers for the Jays in the second quarter, each with two points. The Jays led at the end of the first half with a score of 15-10.
In the third quarter, momentum picked up for both teams as the Jays scored a total of 17 points. Waldner scored eight points, including four free throws. T. Oestreich hit back-to-back three-pointers, contributing six points for the team followed by Dalton Freeman with another three point shot. However, Battle Creek found their way to the hoop and scored 19 points. The Jays stayed in the lead at the end of the third with a score of 32-29.
In the fourth quarter, the Bluejays scored a total of seven points. Contributions came from Magdanz with a total of four points and Waldner with three free throws. The Braves scored ten points to tie with Pierce 39-39, sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, T. Oestreich hit a three-pointer for the Jays followed by Magdanz with one free throw. Battle Creek managed to take the win with a last-second shot, ending the game 43-45.
Individually, Waldner led the team in points with 20, followed by T. Oestreich with 13 points, Magdanz with seven, and Freeman with three. Leading the team in assists was Carson Oestreich with a total of five assists followed by Waldner with two, and Magdanz and Freeman with one assist each. C. Oestreich led the team with two steals followed by T. Oestreich with one. C. Oestreich led the Jays with six rebounds, followed by Freeman and Waldner with five each, as well as Magdanz with four rebounds and T. Oestreich with three. Waldner had one block again the Battle Creek Braves.
Head coach Mike Emory said, “We played hard for four quarters, but we just need to finish the game.”
The next varsity boys’ basketball game will be Thursday, January 25, against Crofton at home.
JV Bluejays Take Down Crofton Warriors
By Rose Graham
The JV Bluejays went head-to-head with Crofton Thursday, January 25, at home. The Bluejays defeated the Warriors 45-18.
Bluejays had a strong first quarter, scoring 18 points on the Warriors. Scoring for the Bluejays were Logan Moeller with a three-pointer, Gavin Larson with a three-pointer, Weston Neitzke with two baskets, and Carter Rohrich with two two-pointers and a free throw. Dalton Haase contributed the final three-pointer of the first quarter. The Bluejays came out on top of the first quarter, leading the Warriors 18-3.
The Jays continued to dominate in the second, as Moeller hit a three-pointer, Neitzke added a basket, and Haase contributed a two-pointer and a three-pointer. The Bluejays led the Warriors 28-7 going into the half.
Scoring for the Bluejays in the third were Larson, Neitzke, Dawson Watts, and Jakob Edins each with a two-pointer. Haase added to the score with two two-pointers for the Bluejays. The Bluejays continued to execute their offense well, leading the Warriors 40-12 heading into the final quarter.
The Jays sealed their win in the fourth, scoring five more and allowing six from the Warriors. David Dale added a free throw and a two-pointer, and Edins also contributed a basket. The Bluejays defeated the Warriors 45-18.
“For having five days off, we played defensively well and executed offense well,” said coach Tim Waldner.
The JV Bluejays’ next game will be played Thursday, February 8, against Guardian Angels Central Catholic.
JV Jays Defeat Battle Creek Braves
By Rose Graham
The JV Bluejays traveled to Battle Creek Saturday, January 20. The Bluejays defeated the Braves 44-30.
In the first quarter, the Jays took a commanding 14-3 lead after scoring from David Dale with a two-pointer, Gavin Larson with three three-pointers, Weston Neitzke with a basket, and Carter Rohrich with one free throw.
The Jays kept their lead in the second quarter despite getting outscored 10-13. Dale had two buckets, Kage Heisinger had a two-pointer, and Dawson Watts had a basket and two free throws. The Bluejays led the Braves 24-16 going into the half.
Coming strong out of the half was Larson with four three-pointers. Watts added a two-pointer to the Bluejays’ score. With the Braves managing just three points in the quarter, the Bluejays were still on top of the Braves 38-19 heading into the last quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Dale assisted the Bluejays with two free throws and a two-pointer, and Watts made his way to the basket to add the final bucket of the game. The Bluejays took the win defeating the Braves 44-30.
“The biggest thing is we shot well early and got the early lead,” said coach Tim Waldner.
The JV Bluejays will play again on Thursday, February 8, against GACC at home.
Freshman Bluejays Soar Over Gators
by Rose Graham
The freshman Bluejays went head-to-head with the Wisner-Pilger Gators Monday, January 15, in Wisner. The Jays won 44-27.
In the first quarter, the Jays took an early lead of 11-8. Scoring for the Bluejays were Hunter Raabe and Zach Collison with a two-pointer apiece, and Dawson Watts with four free throws and a three-pointer.
In the second quarter, the Jays remained ahead of the Gators as Tyler Race scored two points, Logan Moeller hit a three pointer, David Dale sank a free throw, and Watts added another two free throws to the board. Bluejays were still on top of the Gators 19-17 going into the half.
The Jays dominated the third quarter, allowing no points from the Gators but putting up 13. Moeller had a three, Dale sank four buckets, and Watts contributed two free throws. The Bluejays were soaring over the Gators 32-17 heading into the final quarter.
The Gators woke up a bit on offense and managed ten points on the Jays, but with Pierce putting up twelve courtesy of Moeller and Dale, the Bluejays took the win over the Gators 44-27.
“I am very proud of the way we played in the second half,” said coach Zach Weber. “We fought hard defensively, and we executed offensively. It was a great team effort.”
The freshman Bluejays’ next game will be a tournament at Guardian Angels Central Catholic Saturday, January 27.
JH Boys Face Off in Wayne Tournament
by Kaleb Zamora
Pierce 7th and 8th grade basketball teams played in the Wayne tournament on Saturday, January 27. The 7th graders went 1-1 on the day, and the 8th graders went 0-2.
The 7th grade team aced off against Norfolk Catholic and Wayne. In the first game, they went on to play their rival Norfolk Catholic, and they defeated them in a thriller 47-45. The scoreres of this game were Benjamin Brahmer with 23, Abraham Scholting with 10, Kolby Anderson with six, Dawson Raabe with four, and Bode Hoffmann, Trevin Larson with two each. In the second game of the day, they played against the Wayne Blue Devils, but they lost in another close battle 30-36. Scorers of this game were Brahmer with 11, Scholting with ten, Anderson with five, Raabe with three, and Hoffmann with one.
Pierce 8th graders went 0-2 in the tournament as they lost to Norfolk Catholic and Wayne. In the first game they went up against Norfolk Catholic and they were defeated. In the second game, they played the Blue Devils and lost 45-20. The scorers of this game were Brahmer with seven, Kaden Johnson with three, and Ritter Oestreich, Max Cooper, Michael Kruntorad, Scholting with two points a piece.
The next junior high boys’ games will be Thursday, February 8, at Creighton.
JH Boys Sweep Plainview
By Kaleb Zamora
The junior high boys basketball teams both defeated the Plainview Pirates on Thursday, January 18.
Pierce B destroyed the Pirates 27-3. The leading scorers were Tristan Kuehler and Trevin Larson with six points each. Other scorers were Addison Chrogan with five, Gavin Geneski and Dalton Svoboda with four points each, and Max Cooper with two points.
Pierce A also defeated the Pirates with a 55-36 blowout. The leading scorer of this game was Abraham Scholting with 16 points. Other scorers were Benjamin Brahmer with 15, Ritter Oestrich with nine, Michael Kruntorad with six, Kaden Johnson and Trevin Larson with three each, and Kolby Anderson and Dawson Raabe with two points apiece.
The next junior high boys’ games will be played on Saturday, January 27, in the Wayne tournament.
JH Bluejays Play Norfolk Catholic
By Kaleb Zamora
The junior high boys basketball teams went against rivals Norfolk Catholic on Monday, January 15. Both Pierce’s A and B teams lost to the Knights.
Pierce B team lost to the Knights 11-10. Scorers for the B team were Addison Chrogan with five points, Dalton Svoboda and Schuyler Simpson with two each, and Bode Hoffmann with one.
The Pierce A team also lost to the Knights with final score of 30-38. The leading scorer of the game was Benjamin Brahmer with 12 points. Abraham Scholting had 11, Dawson Raabe put up three points, Kolby Anderson and Bode Hoffmann had two points.