Bluejay Basketball
Launch the media gallery 1 playerVarsity Jays Rise Above Hartington Newcastle
by Tanner Kuper
Pierce High’s varsity boys’ basketball team defeated the Wildcats of Hartington Newcastle in an intense matchup on Saturday, December 8, at PHS. The final score of the game was 43-35.
To kick the game off, Dawson Watts splashed a three to start the Jays’ momentum. After that, Jadon Magdanz made a two-pointer to help the team, and Gavin Larson popped a three. Carter Rohrich also aided his team with a pair of shots from the foul line. Pierce’s defense allowed the Wildcats to put up 10 points to end the quarter with a score of 10-10.
Rolling into the second quarter, Magdanz made a two-pointer to start the quarter. Soon after, Watts got fouled and made one free throw, and followed that with a two-pointer. Magdanz then made another two-pointer to end the half. Pierce’s defense played well and held the Wildcats to just five points, making the score at the end of the half 17-15 with the Jays slightly ahead.
Jumping into the third quarter, Magdanz made another two-pointer, and then followed it with another two. Then Dalton Freeman drained a three-pointer to add some momentum for the team. Right after that, Larson sank a three. Pierce’s defense let down their guard a little and allowed the Wildcats to put up 16 points and pull ahead 28-31.
To start off the fourth quarter, Magdanz cashed a two-pointer to sway the momentum. Larson drained a three. Magdanz was then sent to the foul line and made a free throw, followed by two from Watts. Oestreich and Freeman followed with a two-pointer each. Shots from the free throw line extended the Jays’ lead, as Freeman made a free throw followed by Oestreich and Watts. Pierce’s defense picked up their game and held Hartington to four points that quarter to seal their victory.
Coach Emory said, “We were pretty consistent for all four quarters. Offensively, we took care of the ball. On defense, we mixed man with our zone.”
The Jays’ next game will be Friday, December 14, at home against Scotus.
Varsity Jays Fall to Boone Central
by Angelica Volquardsen
Pierce varsity boys’ basketball team traveled to Albion to play against Boone Central on Friday, December 7. The Pierce boys lost the game with a score of 35-44.
In the first quarter, the Jays were slow to start on offense. Dalton Freeman scored a three and a two-pointer to aid the Jays, who were behind 5-11 after one.
In the second quarter, the Jays went point-for-point with the Cardinals as each team scored eight. Dawson Watts made a free-throw and a two-pointer, Carson Oestreich made a free-throw, and Freeman made two two-pointers. At halftime, the Jays were down 13-19.
After three quarters, the Jays were still following the Cardinals with a score of 22-29. Watts and Freeman scored a three-pointer in the third, Jadon Magdanz shot a two-pointer, and Oestreich made a free throw.
In the final quarter, the Jays made a valiant effort and scored 13 more points to add to their scored but fell short and ended the game down 35-44. Tyler Race and Gavin Larson each made a two-pointer in the fourth. Larson also made a three-pointer along with Freeman. Oestreich made three free throws.
Head coach Mike Emory said, “The boys competed hard for four quarters, but we just have to be stronger with the basketball and make better decisions.”
The boys’ next game will be held at Pierce against Scotus on Friday, December 14.
JV Bluejays Soar Over Wildcats
by Victoria Orona
Pierce High’s JV boys’ basketball team went against the Hartington Newcastle Wildcats on Saturday, December 8. Pierce dominated 61-13.
Starting the game, Pierce soared over Hartington Newcastle with 14 points. David Dale scored four points, Weston Neitzke scored six, and Carter Rohrich scored four. Pierce also held strong defensively, allowing the Wildcats only two points.
In the second quarter, Pierce pulled ahead even further, putting away an impressive 25 points and allowing just two. The Jays’ points were scored by Logan Moeller with 11, Chaden Roth with eight, Mason Sindelar, Tyler Race, and Luke Collison with two each. By the end of the half, it was looking bleak for the Wildcats as the score was 39-4.
Coming out of the half, Pierce cooled off a little but still scored another ten points. Those points were scored by Moeller with a three, Weston Neitzke with a basket and a free throw, and Kage Heisinger and Mason Sindelar each with a bucket. Hartington-Newcastle also was able to score just five points to remain far behind the Jays.
In the fourth quarter, Pierce was able to score another 12 points while letting the Wildcats score just four. Pierce’s 12 points were scored by Ritter Oestreich with three, Shawn Rinkel with two, Max Cooper with three, and Trevor Pettitt with four. The Jays ran away with the game 61-13.
The next JV boys’ game will be on Friday, December 14, at Pierce High School against Scotus.
JV Boys Defeat Boone Central
by Tanner Kuper
Piece’s junior varsity boys’ basketball team traveled to Boone Central to take on the Cardinals and beat them in dominant fashion 51-33 on Friday, December 7.
To start the first quarter, David Dale drained a three for the Jays, and Carter Rohrich made a two. Right after that, Weston Neitzke made a two. Chaden Roth, with the hot hand, splashed three threes in a row. Pierce Held the Cardinals to eight points in the first, making the score at the end of the quarter 16-8.
In the second quarter, Tyler Race made a two-pointer right away. Luke Collison drained a three followed by a two-pointer. Roth followed with a two. Race then made a two, a free throw, and then another bucket to finish off the quarter. Pierce held Boone to just seven points, making the score at the end of the half 30-15.
Coming out of the half, the Jays weren’t letting up. Dale made a free throw, Neitzke made a two, and Carter Rohrich made a two-pointer followed by a free throw. Logan Moeller splashed a three to end the quarter. The Jays’ defense played well as they held the Cardinals to four points. The score at the end of the quarter was 39-19 in the Jays’ favor.
In the final quarter, Race created momentum at the beginning by popping a three. Roth then made a two. Moeller than popped a three, and then after that Race drained yet another three. Pierce’s defense let Boone put up 14 points that quarter, but they remained firmly in the lead and took home the win.
Coach Tim Waldner said, “Overall it was a good win. We did really well at boxing out and never giving them another chance, but there is always room for improvement.”
The next JV game will be Friday, December 14, against Scotus at home.
C-Team Jays Defeat Battle Creek
by Victoria Orona
Pierce High’s C-team basketball boys went on the road and won a close game against Battle Creek on Thursday, December 6. The final score was 39-37.
The Jays jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter as they put up 12 points to Battle Creek’s nine. Ritter Oestreich and Chaden Roth each hit a pair of three-pointers for the Jays. In the second quarter, Pierce’s defense allowed the Braves to score only four points. On the offensive end, Logan Moeller scored six points from two threes, and Luke Collison also made a three-pointer for the Jays, who ended the first half of the game up 21-13.
Coming into the second half, the Braves outscored the Jays in the third. Battle Creek scored 16 points, while Pierce scored seven points with Moeller and Mason Sindelar both scoring two points each and Roth hitting another three, making the total score 28-29 with the Braves taking over.
In the fourth quarter, Pierce stepped up their game, scoring 11 points while holding Battle Creek to eight. Those 11 points were scored by Moeller with five points and Luke Collison with one three and three free throws, ending the game 39-37 in favor of the Jays.
Coach Zach Weber said, “We played really well for most of the game. I’m happy with the team’s effort. Anytime we can get a win in a close game, we can look back on a lot of positives.”
The next C-team game will be on Saturday, December 15, at Columbus Scotus.
