Bluejays Basketball
Launch the media gallery 1 playerBluejays Come Up Short Against Winnebago
by Kaleb Zamora
Pierce’s varsity boys’ basketball team traveled to Norfolk on Thursday, February 22, to face off in the sub-district final against Winnebago. The Bluejays lost to the Indians 61-51.
In the first quarter of the game, the Bluejays’ offense and defense didn’t come ready to play, as the Indians outscored the Jays 19-5. Scoring the Jays’ only five points of the quarter was Braydan Waldner. In the second quarter the Bluejays’ offense was on point, but the defense was still struggling as Winnebago still outscored the Jays 13-11. Scoring the 11 points for the Bluejays were Taylor Oestreich with six going 2-2 from outside range, Gavin Larson with a three, and Waldner with two points from the inside. Going into halftime, the Bluejays were down by a significant margin of 32-16. Coming out of the locker rooms and entering the third quarter, the offense was still on its groove, scoring 14 points, but the defense was still lacking for the Bluejays as they gave up 16 points to Winnebago. Helping the Jays out in scoring were T. Oestreich with six points, which were both from three’s, Waldner with five points, and Carson Oestreich with three points. Entering the fourth quarter, the Bluejays were trying to mount a huge comeback being down 48-30. The offense was firing on all cylinders in the final quarter as they scored 21 points, and the defense was starting to hold their own against Winnebago, allowing them to score only 13. Leading the Bluejays in points were T. Oestreich and Larson both having six points from nailing two three-pointers a piece. Waldner had three points hitting one from outside the arc, and C. Oestreich, Freeman, and Carter Rohrich had two points each. At the end of the game the scoreboard read 61-51 in favor of the Indians, which ultimately ended the Bluejays’ season with a record of 10-13.
Coach Mike Emory said of the season, “I really enjoyed working with this group and watching their growth throughout the year and how well they got along and played together.”
Leading the Bluejays in points this game were T. Oestreich with 18 points and Waldner with 15 points. Leading the team in rebounds and assists was Waldner with nine rebounds and seven assists.
Bluejays Eliminate Blue Devils
by Kaleb Zamora
Pierce’s boys’ basketball team traveled to Norfolk High School to take on Wayne on Tuesday, February 20. The Bluejays knocked off Wayne from the sub-district tournament as they defeated them 40-29.
In the first quarter, it was a sluggish start for both offenses as the final score of the first quarter was 4-2, Jays. Scoring all of the the points in the first quarter was Braydan Waldner with four. In the second quarter, more offense was starting to show for the Bluejays as they outscored Wayne 16-10. Leading the Jays in points were Waldner with eight points, Dalton Freeman and Taylor Oestreich with four points each. Pierce had a commanding lead going into halftime with a score of 20-12. In the third quarter, defenses stood tall for both teams, but Wayne outscored Pierce 6-2. Scoring the only two points for the Bluejays was Waldner. With the score tight at 22-18 in Pierce’s favor, the offense stepped up in a huge way in the final quarter as they outscored the Blue Devils 18-11. Helping the Jays out in scoring were Waldner with 11 points, Jadon Magdanz with three points, Carson Oestreich with two points, and T. Oestreich and Freeman with one point a piece. At the end of the game, the score read 40-29 as they Bluejays upset the #2 seed in the sub-district semifinal.
Leading the Bluejays in points and rebounds was Waldner with 25 and 7, respectively, and leading the team in assists was Freeman with six.
Coach Mike Emory said, “I thought we adjusted to the speed of the game and played much better the last three quarters.”
The Jays advanced to play the Winnebago Indians in sub-district finals on Thursday, February 22.
JH Boys Go 1-1 Against Hartington CC
by Kaleb Zamora
The junior high boys’ basketball teams faced off against Hartington CC on Saturday, February 17. The 7th graders defeated the Trojans 54-42, but the 8th graders lost to them 49-40.
In the first half of the 7th grade game, the Bluejays’ offense took flight as they outscored the Trojans 27-17. The leading scorers of the half were Abraham Scholting with 13 points, Benjamin Brahmer with six points, Colby Anderson with five points, Dawson Raabe with two points, and Tristan Kuehler with one point from a free throw. In the second half of the game, both offenses couldn’t be stopped as Pierce scored 27 to Hartington’s 25 points in the second half. Leading scorers of the half were Scholting with 14 points; Brahmer with seven points; and Anderson, Trevin Larson, and Raabe with two points a piece. Despite the Trojans’ late effort, the Bluejays pulled away to win 54-42.
In the first half of the 8th grade game, it was a pretty close game throughout, but the Trojans’ offense did just enough to outscore the Jays 19-23 in half. Helping the Jays score in the half were Scholting and Brahmer with seven points apiece, Michael Kruntorad and Raabe with two points each, and Ritter Oestreich with one point from a made free throw. In the second half, both offenses were still on a roll, but the Jays couldn’t outscore Hartington CC as the Jays put up 21 to their 26. Leading the Jays in scoring in the second half were Kruntorad with six points; Brahmer with five points; Scholting with three points; Kaden Johnson, Oestreich, and Raabe with two points each; and Max Cooper with one point from a made free throw. Despite being good on offense, the Bluejays couldn’t force any stops as the 8th grade Bluejays lost 40-49.
