Sports News Jan 19th - Jan 24th
JH Boys Fall Short of Norfolk Catholic
by Alyson Garcia
Pierce High’s seventh grade boys played at Norfolk Catholic on Monday, January 19, falling by a score of 26 to 31.
In the first quarter, the Jays scored 11 points on Norfolk Catholic. Gavin Larson led the Jays with three points. Jakob Edins, Carson Oestreich, Dylan Svoboda, and Dalton Freeman all scored two points in the quarter. The second quarter had the Jays dropping in three two-point field goals for six total points. Jayden Sporleder, Oestreich, and Larson scored two points each for the team this quarter. In the third quarter, the duo of Svoboda and Oestreich put up two points apiece, bringing the Jays’ total to 21 after three quarters. Oestreich did all of the Jays’ scoring in the fourth quarter, netting a two-pointer and a three for five points. The Jays finished down five: 26 to 31.
Oestreich lead the Jays in scoring with 11 points. Other scorers for the Jays: Larson with five, Svoboda with four, and Freeman, Edins, and Sporleder had two points each.
The JH boys will play again at home on Thursday, February 12, against the Creighton Bulldogs.
JH Lady Jays Fight Warriors
by Alexa Douglass
On the Pierce home court, the junior high Lady Jays played Crofton on Monday, January 19. With a final score of 25 to 26, the seventh grade girls’ basketball team fought hard, but fell short of a win against Crofton. Although the seventh grade team lost, the eighth grade team triumphed, with a score of 27 to 23. The eighth grade B team played one quarter and lost 3 to 4.
Coming out in the first quarter, the seventh graders Lady Jays fell behind early, as Crofton scored nine points against the Jays. Scoring just two points courtesy of Destini Beckner, the Lady Jays struggled offensively. Seeming to be more prepared in the second quarter, the seventh graders scored nine points; Zoe Brendan had five points, Addison Johnson had two points, and Beckner had two points. Although they scored nine, the Jays still allowed Crofton to score 12, making the halftime score 11 to 21. After half time, the seventh grade team scored only three more points, allowing the Warriors to score five on them. Brendan had two points, and Madison Huber scored one. Closing out in the fourth quarter, the seventh grade team fought hard and scored 11 points. They managed to keep Crofton from scoring completely in the fourth quarter. Even with these 11 points, it wasn’t quite enough to pull off a win, and the Lady Jays fell 25 to 26. Brendan scored four points, Ryah Ostermeyer scored four points, and Beckner had three points.
The eighth grade seemed to have a different rhythm early in their game as they scored eight points, and held Crofton to six points. Ashlin Warneke had three points, Kayla Simmons and Kaylee Dvorak each had two, and Samantha Svendsen had one. The Lady Jays took off in the second quarter, scoring eight points and holding Crofton to two. Maggie Brahmer had six points, and Svendsen had two points. The score at halftime read 16 to 8. The Lady Jays had a tough third quarter, tying Crofton for seven points scored in the quarter. Warneke and Svendsen each had two points, and Simmons had three. In the fourth, the Lady Jays seemed to relax slightly as they allowed Crofton to score eight points and scored only four themselves courtesy of Brahmer. Still, they had built up enough of a lead to stay on top and win 27to 23.
During the eighth grade B game, Mckeilie Ziehmer had two points, and Kaylee Dvorak had one point for the Lady Jays.
The JH Lady Jays played their last game of the season on Tuesday, January 27, against Norfolk Public.
Freshman Girls Conquer Wisner-Pilger
by Kelsi Svendsen
Pierce’s freshman girls’ basketball team defeated Wisner-Pilger on Monday, January 19, in Wisner. The Lady Jays beat the Gators 41 to 35.
The Lady Jays came out hot in the first quarter. Jordan Peitz had a basket, and Sidney Zimmerer was on fire with two three-pointers and one basket. Carly Sutherland made one out of two free throws for Pierce. The ending score of the first quarter was 11 to 3 with Pierce in the lead.
In the second quarter, Pierce was still on a scoring roll. Brenna Collison and Zimmerer each had a basket for the Lady Jays, and Sutherland was hot with seven points. She had one basket and made five out of six free throws total. At the end of the quarter, Pierce was in the lead 22 to 13.
The third quarter was another strong offensive quarter for the Lady Jays. Grace Spieker swished a three-pointer and made two out of two free throws to put on the scoreboard. Peitz made a free throw, and Zimmerer made a basket and a three-pointer. Sutherland also contributed two points in this quarter. The ending score was 35 to 21 with Pierce remaining in the lead.
In the fourth quarter, the Lady Jays scored only free throws, but it was enough to seal the win. Spieker contributed to the score by making two out of two free throws, and Zimmerer two for four from the line. Sutherland made one of two free throws, Maci Kroupa made one of four. The ending score of this quarter was 41 to 35 with the Lady Jays winning the game against the Gators.
The freshman girls’ next basketball game is Saturday, January 31, in a tournament at Guardian Angels CC.
Freshman Boys Come Up Short Against Gators
by Lexi Dunn
The freshman boys’ basketball team fought hard against Wisner-Pilger on Monday, January 19, against the Gators, resulting in a Bluejay loss of 34 to 45.
The first quarter was slow for the Jays, but with the help of Collin Tinker, Taylor Oestreich, and Ashton Wragge each with a basket, the Jays managed to score six points in the first quarter. On the defensive side, they allowed the Gators to outscore them with ten points, making the score at the end of the first quarter 6 to 10.
As the second quarter started up, the Jays began to pick it up on offense. The Jays scored thirteen points; Tinker put up four points, Ethan Blecher had a three-pointer, Oestreich had two buckets, and Wragge added two more points, making the Jays’ score going into halftime 19. The Jays’ defense held the Gators to ten points in the second, so heading into the break, the Jays were down by just one, 19 to 20.
After halftime, the Gators outscored the Jays 6 to 14. The Jays’ six points were put up by Tinker with two, Justin West with two free throws, and Wragge with two more points. The going into the final minutes was 25 to 34.
The Jays finished the fourth quarter strong and didn’t give up. Scoring for Pierce wre Tinker and Wragge with two points each, and Oestreich with a bucket and a shot from the top of the arc. Despite a strong fourth quarter effort, the game ended 34 to 45 in the Gators’ favor.
The freshman boys’ next game is Saturday, January 31, in the GACC tournament in West Point.
JV Lady Jays Handle LHNE
by Noah Fisher
Playing only two quarters at PHS, the JV Lady Jays dominated the Lutheran High Northeast Lady Eagles. The Lady Jays used a stout second quarter offensive and defensive performance to rout the Lady Eagles by a score of 25 to 14.
In the first quarter, the Lady Jays got off to a slow start offensively, putting up only four points. On defense the Lady Jays held the Lady Eagles to nine points in the quarter. The quarter had Casey Sutherland and Kate Asmus scoring two points apiece. The Lady Jays came out on fire in the second quarter, scoring an impressive 21 points. Also in the second quarter, the Lady Jays played lockdown defense, holding the Lady Eagles to a meager five points. The game ended with the Lady Jays on top 25 to 14. The second quarter brought scoring from five separate Lady Jays: Morgan Stone with six points, Sidney Zimmerer with five points, Sutherland and Hailey Race with four points, and Carly Sutherland with two points.
Two Lady Jays were tied for top scorer: Casey Sutherland and Stone with six points apiece. Other scorers for the Lady Jays: Zimmerer with five points, Race with four points, and Carly Sutherland and Asmus rounded out the scoring with two points each.
The JV Lady Jays will be back in action on Thursday, January 29, in Crofton against the Lady Warriors.
Lady Jays Soar Over Eagles
by Alexa Douglass
With a final score of 77 to 19, the Lady Jays took a huge lead and kept it against the Lutheran High Lady Eagles when the two teams matched up in Pierce on Tuesday, January 20.
Coming out strong in the first quarter, the Jays scored 21 points, holding the Eagles to a measly three. Allison Koehlmoos, Jaci Brahmer, and Sydney Silhacek all scored two, Shelby Bretschneider had three, Casey Sutherland racked up four, and Rachelle Tucker had eight.
Exploding into the second quarter, the Lady Jays definitely held their lead by scoring 29 more points and holding the Lady Eagles to eight more. Going in at halftime, the score was 50 to 11. During the second quarter, Kate Asmus hit a bucket, Silhacek had three points, Bretschneider had four, Brahmer had eight points, and Tucker led with 12.
Coming out for the second half, the Jays seemed ready to put away the Eagles. Scoring 17 points, the Lady Jays managed to keep the Eagles from scoring the entire third quarter. Koehlmoos scored three points, Bretschneider and Brahmer each scored four, and Tucker had six.
The Lady Jays seemed more relaxed in the fourth quarter as they allowed the Lady Eagles to score eight points, but still managed ten of their own. Asmus, Sidney Zimmerer, and Morgan Stone all contributed a bucket, and Sutherland scored four points. With a grand total of 77 to 19, the Lady Jays managed a 58-point win over the Lutheran High Lady Eagles.
Moving forward in their season, the Jays played against O’Neill St. Mary’s on Thursday, January 22. Also, the Lady Jays played against Battle Creek on Saturday January 24, and again on Tuesday, January 27, against West Point. Their next game will be Thursday, January 29, against Crofton.
JV Boys Defeated
by Alex Retzlaff
The Pierce junior varsity Bluejays battled the Lutheran High Northeast Eagles, but ultimately were defeated with a final score of 29 to 49.
In the first quarter, the JV boys fought hard against their opponents, with a quarter-ending score of 7 to 11. Among those who fought with all they had were Mason Buckendahl, who scored two baskets, and Kyle West, who managed to sink a three-pointer.
The Bluejays continued to give their effort in the second quarter, with Buckendahl managing to score two free throws. Braydan Waldner scored a basket, and Caleb Sullivan shot a free throw and a basket, with both players strongly aiding the Bluejays’ efforts. The quarterly score was 7 to 14, and the total score by halftime was 14 to 25 with the JV Jays trailing.
The JV boys showed persistence following halftime. Sullivan scored another basket, and Cody Asmus managed to score a free throw, showing the Eagles that the Bluejays would not desist from their efforts. Noah Zimmerer also proved his skills through his shooting of a three-pointer. The quarterly score was 6 to 8, and the total was 20 to 33.
Throughout the final quarter, the Bluejays gave the game their all, with a quarterly score of 9 to 16. Collin Tinker and Parker Baumann each scored a free throw, and Taylor Oestreich immensely helped his team by scoring a free throw and two three pointers, proving to LHNE that the JV boys, even though they knew the outcome, would never stop trying to win.
The JV Bluejays’ next game is scheduled to be against Crofton on Thursday, January 29.
Jays Defeat Eagles
by Alexa Douglass
With the final score of 57 to 47, the varsity Jays took over the court and beat the Lutheran High Eagles on Tuesday, January 20, at home.
Exploding in the first quarter, the Jays scored 15 points and held the Eagles to only three. Taggart Bailey led the team with six points in the quarter. Braden Taylor and Brady Starkel each added three of their own, along with a bucket from Walker Raabe and a point from Mason Buckendahl.
Coming out in the second quarter, the Jays scored 14 more points. Even though Lutheran High scored 11 points in the quarter, the Jays still had a 15-point lead going in at half. During the second quarter, Starkel had eight points, Bailey had two, and Raabe had four.
The boys let up a bit during the third quarter, letting LHNE score ten points, and scoring just nine themselves.
Coach Tim Waldner said, “We played really well for two and a half quarters, but relaxed up; after that the game got a little ugly.”
In the third quarter, Austin Freeman had two points, Starkel had two, Bailey had three, and Raabe had two to bring the score at the end of the third to 38 to 24.
During the fourth quarter, the Jays scored 19 points, with Freeman, Taylor, and Raabe all scoring five, and Starkel and Bailey each scoring two. The Eagles scored 23 points against the Jays in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough to seal the deal. The Jays won with a final score of 57 to 47.
The Jays continued their season, playing against Battle Creek on Saturday, January 24, and playing again Tuesday, January 27, against West Point. On Thursday, January 19, they will take on Crofton in a road game.
Warbirds Dual Norfolk Catholic
by Alex Retzlaff
The Pierce High Warbirds battled the Norfolk Catholic Knights in a wrestling dual on Thursday, January 22, but were ultimately defeated, with a final score of 24 to 55.
The dual started off at 138, with Levi Sudbeck up against Nic Beed. Sudbeck was pinned. At 145, Jake Ussery was pinned by his opponent, Dillon Hupp. At 152, Johnnie Huff received six points for his team due to an open spot for the Knights. Although Austin Wickett, at 160 lost his match against Christian Prim, Alec Price, at 170, managed to overcome his adversary, Ryan Webbert, thereby gaining another six points for the Warbirds.
At 182, Bradon Dickey took on Logan Hale, but was felled by his opponent. At 195, John Polt went up against Riley McCarthy, but Polt was defeated as well. Pierce had open spots at 220, 285, and 106, allowing NC to gain 18 more points. At 113, Garrett Wickett bested his opponent, Justin Brtek, by fall. At 120, Cody Yawn also defeated his adversary, Aric Seymour. At 126, Brodey Peters was pinned by Jonah Heng. Finally at 132, the Knights gained another six points due to a bye on Pierce’s part.
In JV matches, Matt Doyle pinned his Knight opponent, and Spencer McElhose followed suit.
The Warbirds are scheduled to take on Schuyler on Thursday, January 29.
JH Wins One, Loses One
by Lexi Dunn
Pierce’s junior high boys’ basketball teams took on Plainview on Thursday, January 22. The seventh graders won 40 to 9, and the eighth graders lost 15 to 35.
In the first quarter of the seventh grade game, the Jays came out ready to play, with strong shooting and defense that was on point. Jakob Edins, Carson Oestreich, Gavin Larson, and Dylan Svoboda all contributed to the Jays’ points by putting up two points each, along with Carter Rohrich with a basket and a free throw. The defense held the Pirates to only two points the whole quarter. The score at the end of the first quarter was 11 to 2. In the second quarter, the Jays were still unstoppable on offense, scoring ten points. Kage Heisinger had two points and Oestreich put up eight. The Jays didn’t let up on defense again, allowing the Pirates to score only two points. At the end of the second, the score read 21 to 4. After halftime, the Jays made four points. Dalton Freeman and Rohrich made these with a bucket apiece. And again, the Jays’ defense allowed the Pirates only two points. The score at the end of the third was 25 to 6. In the fourth quarter, the Jays were on fire on offense and defense. On offense, Svoboda had two points, Jaden Sporleder had a bucket and a made free throw, Larson scored four points, and Brett Tinker had six. On the defensive side for the Jays, they allowed the Pirates three points, and the final score was a decisive 40 to 9, Jays.
The eighth graders took the court next. In the first quarter, the Jays scored seven total points. Dalton Haase put up three, and Devin Roth made a three and a free throw. The Jays’ defense held the pirates to six, going into the second quarter with a close score of 7 to 6. In the second, the Jays struggled to make anything in the bucket, scoring only two points courtesy of Logan Kallhoff. The Jays’ defense allowed the Pirates to score eight points, making the score going into halftime 9 to 14. After the half, the Jays scored four points. Jadon Magdanz scored one point with a free throw, and Gabe Behmer hit a three-pointer. The Jays’ defense allowed 11 points that helped the Pirates extend their lead, making the score going into the final minutes of the game 11 to 25. In the fourth quarter, the Jays struggled on offense and scored none. Defensively, the Jays gave the Pirates ten more points to help them seal the win. The score at the end of the game was 15 to 35.
The junior high boys’ next games will be played Monday, February 9, in Madison.
JH Girls Face Off at Hartington CC
by Alyson Garcia
Both the seventh and eighth grade girls beat Hartington CC during their games on Thursday, January 22, at Hartington. The seventh graders won 14 to 13, and the eighth graders won 24 to 19.
In the first quarter of the seventh grade game, Ryah Ostermeyer and Zoe Brenden both scored two points on Hartington while the Trojans trailed close behind with three points.
The second quarter was another close one when the Lady Jays scored five points and Hartington scored six. Brenden again scored two points for the Jays, while Ostermeyer scored two points plus a free throw. At the end of the second quarter, both teams were tied with 9 points.
The Jays regained the lead in the third quarter by scoring three points on Hartington, who scored only one. Mackenzie Richmond came in the third quarter and shot a free throw for the Jays. Brenden scored yet another two-pointer for the Lady Jays.
The fourth quarter came and went with the Jays still in the lead. The Lady Jays scored seven more points with just free throws. Ostermyer was the girl behind the ball, leading the way for the Jays by making seven free throws. Hartington CC scored their last three points that quarter. The game ended with final score of 14 to 13 in the Lady Jays’ favor.
The eighth grade Lady Jays also won their game against Hartington CC. During the first quarter of the eighth grade game, Kayla Simmons and Maggie Brahmer scored four points each, Simmons with two free throws and a basket, and Brahmer with two two-pointers. Kaylee Dvorak also helped the Jays out by scoring a basket. The Jays led the way with ten points to Hartington’s three.
In the second quarter, Hartington still struggled to catch up when the Jays’ score for this quarter was 14 points, which doubled Hartington’s seven. The Jays’ Abbey Fuerhoff and Brahmer scored two points each.
The Jays brought their score to 22 points in the third quarter with a total of eight. Hartington scored seven in the third, and with Brahmer scoring two buckets and Simmons hitting two free throws, the Trojans remained behind the Lady Jays going into the final quarter.
The Jays finished off the fourth quarter by scoring two points from Brahmer. Hartington CC scored four points this quarter, yet it wasn’t enough to overtake the Jays. The game ended with score of 24 to 19 with Pierce on top.
The JH Lady Jays played their final games of the season on Tuesday, January 27, against Norfolk High.
JV Lady Jays Win OT Battle
by Noah Fisher
In a game that was scheduled to go three quarters, the JV Lady Jays came out on top on the road at O’Neill St. Mary’s in an overtime battle on Thursday, January 22. The final score was 43 to 39.
The first quarter had both teams feeling each other out with the Lady Jays scoring just two more points than O’Neill St. Mary’s, 9 to 7. In the quarter, Casey Sutherland led the Lady Jays in scoring with three points. Casey Sutherland was accompanied by the services of Kate Asmus, Morgan Stone, and Carly Sutherland who scored two points apiece. Offense picked up in the second quarter with each team putting up double digits; the Lady Jays scored 15 while the St. Mary’s Lady Cardinals scored 16, giving the Lady Jays a one-point halftime lead, 24 to 23. Francesca Dobrovich scored five points in the quarter, Stone added four points, and Haley Race and Sidney Zimmerer tacked on three points apiece. Coming out of halftime, the Lady Jays were once again outscored by a single point, 14 to 15, forcing an overtime period. The third quarter brought scoring from three Lady Jays: Casey Sutherland and Asmus scored six points apiece, and Race put up two points of her own. In the overtime period, defense was the story for both teams with the Lady Jays holding the Lady Cardinals to an impressive one point while scoring five points of their own. Casey Sutherland score four of the five overtime points and Asmus tacked on a free throw for the final point, ending the game with the Lady Jays on top 43 to 39.
Casey Sutherland led all scorers with 13 points. Other scorers for the Lady Jays: Asmus with nine, Stone with six, Dobrovich and Race with five, Zimmerer with three, and Carly Sutherland finished with two points.
The JV Lady Jays will take on the Crofton Lady Warriors in Crofton on Thursday, January 29.
Lady Jays Beat Cardinals
by Kelsi Svendsen
Second half defense lifted the Lady Jays to a 17-point victory over O’Neill St. Mary’s with a score of 62 to 45 on Thursday, January 22.
The Lady Jays were off to a bumpy start in the first and second quarters. Sydney Silhacek started off the first quarter by swishing a three-pointer, and Allison Koehlmoos made one out of two free throws and a basket for Pierce. Rachelle Tucker had two points in the first quarter, and Jaci Brahmer made one out of two free throws. The Cardinals, however, outscored the Lady Jays in the first, and the ending score of the first quarter was 9 to 10 with the Lady Jays falling short.
During the second quarter, Pierce still didn’t quite make enough points to be in the lead. Tucker made two baskets and two out of two free throws to up the score. Brahmer made a two-pointer and a free throw, and Shelby Bretschneider made a bucket of her own. Silhacek made one out of two free throws, and at the end of the second quarter the score was 21 to 23 with Pierce trailing.
The Lady Jays came back strong in the third and fourth quarters. Tucker and Koehlmoos each contributed six points for the Lady Jays in the third to finally take the lead. Going into the final minutes, the score was 33 to 29 with the Lady Jays ahead.
Pierce dominated in the fourth quarter, scoring 29 points. Silhacek swished two three-pointers in a row. She also made ten free throws for the Lady Jays. Tucker made three baskets and one free throw, and Sutherland swished two three-pointers. This final push brought the score to 62 to 45 and sent Pierce home with a victory.
The varsity Lady Jays’ next game is Thursday, January 29, in Crofton.
Jays Fly Past Cardinals
by Noah Fisher
Strong third quarter defense lifted the Pierce boys’ basketball team to a decisive 12-point road victory over the O’Neill St. Mary’s Cardinals by a score of 56 to 44.
In the first quarter, the Jays put out a good product both offensively and defensively, scoring 16 points while allowing only ten. Walker Raabe was a large factor in the Jays’ seven-point cushion, scoring seven points. Also scoring for the Jays was Brady Starkel with five points, and Braydan Waldner and Taggart Bailey added two points apiece. The second quarter had both teams trading buckets, with the Jays scoring 14 to the Cardinals’ 15. Bailey led the Jays’ scoring attack in the second quarter with five points; Austin Freeman and Starkel added three points each, Waldner put up two points, and Mason Buckendahl sank a free throw for one more point. The score heading into halftime had the Jays on top by five, 30 to 25. Coming out of the break, the Jays clamped down defensively, allowing only seven points while scoring 15 of their own. Raabe put in another impressive eight-point quarter with Starkel adding three points, and Bailey and Waldner put up two points apiece, heading into the fourth with the Jays ahead by a score of 45 to 32. The game was all but over in the fourth quarter as the 13-point deficit was too much for the Cardinals to overcome. In the quarter, the Jays allowed 12 points and scored 11 points, ending the game with a score of 56 to 44. Bailey scored four points in the fourth, Starkel put up three, and Raabe and Braden Taylor added two apiece.
The Jays had three players score in double digits: Raabe with 17, Starkel with 14, and Bailey with 13. Other scorers for the Jays: Waldner with six, Freeman with three, Taylor with four, and Buckendahl with one.
Coach Tim Waldner said of the win, “I thought we did a very good job of attacking their defense and moving the ball around to get everyone open shots, and that was a big part of winning the game with all the first half foul trouble we were in.”
The varsity boys will be back in action on Thursday, January 29, at Crofton to take on the Warriors.
JV Lady Jays Dominate Battle Creek
by Kelsi Svendsen
Pierce’s JV Lady Jays’ basketball team defeated the Battle Creek Bravettes on Saturday, January 24, in Pierce. The Lady Jays dominated Battle Creek 44 to 20. On Saturday, it was also parents’ night for the girls’ basketball team and the cheerleaders.
The Lady Jays started the first quarter off on fire. Casey Sutherland swished two three-pointers and had one basket for Pierce. Morgan Stone and Carly Sutherland each had one basket for the team. At the end of the quarter, the Lady Jays came out on top 12 to 9.
During the second quarter, Pierce kept up the scoring. Stone made one out of two free throws to up the score. Brenna Collison also made one out of two free throws. Carly Sutherland made two baskets and two free throws for the Lady Jays. The score at the end of the second quarter was 20 to 15 with Pierce still in the lead.
After the half, the Lady Jays came back strong. Carly Sutherland made two baskets, and Kate Asmus made a two-pointer. Hailey Race made three out of four free throws and also made a basket. Casey Sutherland also made three out of four free throws and a basket for the team. Pierce was in the lead 36 to 17 going into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Lady Jays finished strong. Collison made a basket and one out of two free throws for the Lady Jays. Sidney Zimmerer swished a three-pointer for the team, and Carly Sutherland made a two-pointer to up the score. The ending score of the game was 44 to 20.
The JV Lady Jays’ next game is Thursday, January 29, against Crofton.
Pierce Lady Jays Defeat Bravettes
by Kelsi Svendsen
Soaring high, the Lady Jays came out victorious against the Bravettes at the big game in Pierce on Saturday, January 24. The score at the end of the game was 54 to 32 with Pierce coming out on top.
In the first quarter, the Lady Jays came out with a ten-point lead against the Bravettes. Jaci Brahmer had eight points in this quarter, Rachelle Tucker had four, and Casey Sutherland made two points to up the Lady Jays’ score. The ending score of the first quarter was 14 to 4 with Pierce on top.
The Lady Jays scored thirteen points against the Bravettes in the second. Tucker had two baskets and made four free throws, and Sutherland swished a three-pointer for the Lady Jays. Sydney Silhacek also had a basket for the team. Pierce was in the lead at the end of the second quarter with a score of 27 to 13.
In the third quarter, the Lady Jays were still on a roll. Koehlmoos and Bretschneider each had a basket in this quarter, and Sutherland and Silhacek each had three points for the Lady Jays. Tucker made two baskets to contribute to the score. The score at the end of the third was 41 to 22 with Pierce dominating.
During the fourth quarter, Pierce finished strong. Bretschneider had two points for the Lady Jays, and Tucker made four out of four free throws. Brahmer made three baskets and one out of three free throws to help seal the victory. The ending score of the game was 54 to 32 with Pierce coming out victorious against the Bravettes.
The Pierce varsity Lady Jays’ next game is Thursday, January 29, in Crofton.
JV Boys Handle Braves
by Noah Fisher
Defense was certainly the key to the JV Jays’ 12-point home victory over the Battle Creek Braves by a score of 39 to 27.
The first quarter was quite a defensive one for the Jays, allowing only four points while scoring 11 of their own. Kyle West led the Jays with five points in the quarter. West was joined in scoring by Cody Asmus and Noah Zimmerer who scored three points each. In the second quarter, defense remained the story with both teams scoring in the single digits. The Jays collected five points while holding the Braves to a mere four. West put up three more points, and Brady Simmons added two points, giving the Jays a 16 to 8 halftime lead. In the third quarter, the Jays picked up their offense, putting up 13 points while holding the Braves to seven. Asmus scored six points in the quarter, Braydan Waldner put in five points, and Mason Buckendahl sank two free throws for two points. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Jays had a 14-point lead, 29 to 15. The 14-point lead proved too much for the Braves to handle as the Jays scored ten points to the Braves’ 12. Zimmerer scored five points, Taylor Oestreich scored four points, and West scored one point; all of the Jays’ fourth quarter points came at the free throw line.
No Jay scored in double figures on the night but scoring was evenly spread out among seven players. West and Asmus led the Jays with nine points each. Other scorers for the Jays: Zimmerer with eight, Waldner with five, Oestreich with four, and Buckendahl and Simmons scored two points apiece.
The JV boys will be heading to Crofton on Thursday, January 29, to take on the Warriors.
Jays Knock Off Braves
by Noah Fisher
Free throws proved to be the difference on Saturday, January 24, at PHS as the Jays knocked off the favored Battle Creek Braves by a score of 63 to 57.
In the first quarter, the Jays opened up with an amazing offensive performance, putting in five three-pointers in a 21-point first quarter. On defense, the Jays held the Braves to 11 points, creating a ten-point lead: 21 to 11. Braden Taylor led the Jays in the first quarter with six points. Other first quarter points came from Brady Starkel and Taggart Bailey with five points each, Braydan Waldner with three points, and Walker Raabe with two points. The second quarter brought a surge from the Braves offensively as the Jays allowed 19 points, but the Jays countered with a 15-point performance, heading into halftime up six, 36 to 30. Bailey notched seven points in the quarter, Taylor hit another pair of threes for six points, and Starkel added two points. Coming out of the locker room, the Jays created a little more breathing room, scoring two more points than the Braves in the third quarter: 14 to 12. Bailey added seven points, Austin Freeman scored five points, and Taylor tacked on two. The Jays had accumulated an eight-point lead by the fourth quarter, 50 to 42. In the fourth quarter, the Jays held their own, allowing only 15 points while scoring 13. The Jays connected on four free throws in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter to ice the game and seal a six-point victory: 63 to 57. In the quarter, Starkel netted six points, Freeman tacked on three, and Bailey and Raabe added two points apiece.
Three Jays scored in double digits against the Braves: Bailey with 21, Taylor with 14, and Starkel with 13. Other scorers for the Jays: Freeman with eight, Raabe with four, and Waldner with three points.
Coach Tim Waldner said, “Offensively, we had to find ways to keep scoring until we could really get a handle on them defensively. Defensively, I feel we grew a lot since the first time we played them and learned from the mistakes we made in the first game.
The boys will be back in action on Thursday, January 29, at Crofton against the Warriors.
Warbirds Place 7th at Aurora
by Lexi Dunn
Pierce High’s Warbirds wrestled aggressively and placed 7th in the Aurora dual tournament on Saturday, January 24.
Garrett Wickett in weight class 113 went 2 and 2 for the day; Wickett wrestled up in his first match winning against Colby Anderson of Norris. Wickett got pinned by Luke Peterson in his second match. In his third match, Wickett fell to Jesse Harlow. In his fourth and final match, Wickett won in a forfeit.
Cody Yawn went 3 and 1 in the aurora tournament. In Yawn’s first match, he won over Troy Vanderheiden. Yawn’s second match, he won by forfeit. Yawn’s third match was a loss by decision with a score of 0 to 6. Yawn pinned Micah Maguson in his fourth match.
Brodey Peters went 1 and 3. Peters’s first match, he lost to Andrew Myers by pin. In his second match, he was also pinned by Mathew Havey. Anthony Red pinned Peters in his third match, and Peters’s fourth match was won by forfeit.
Levi Sudbeck went 1 and 3 for the day. Sudbeck fell to Jeremiah Dickinson in his first match. Sudbeck’s next match was a loss to Raymon Mastas with the score of the match being 6 to 9. Sudbeck’s third match was a very close loss of 3 to 4 Sudbeck lost to Franc Sauceda in his next match, and he pinned his last opponent Jacob Anderson.
Pierce entered two wrestlers at 145. Matthew Doyle went 1 and 1, and Jake Ussery went 0 and 2. Doyle’s first match was a forfeit, allowing Doyle to win. Doyle’s second match, he was pinned by Drew Freehling. Ussery was pinned by Jonah Peterson and Jackson Coffin.
At 152, Jonnie Huff went 3 and 1. Huff pinned Tucker Schneiderheinz and Stephen Duffy in his first and third matches. Huff’s second match, he was pinned by Jameson Nickels, giving him only his second loss of the season. Huff’s fourth match of the day was against Dillion Duffield, and Huff won by decision with the score at 6 to 1.
Austin Wickett went 0 and 4 at Aurora. Wickett was pinned by Brennan Portz, Jordan Hollingsworth, Codie Kraus, and Jack Duffy.
Alec Price went 2 and 2 at 170. Price’s first match was a loss to Brad Schoch with the score being 5 to 14. Price’s next match, he was pinned by Ethan Cradick. Price won his next two matches by pinning his opponents.
Bradon Dickey went 2 and 2. Dickey’s first match, he pinned Noah Carlson. In his second match, he lost by decision 0 to 6. In the third match, Dickey won due to forfeit. Dickey’s fourth match, he was pinned by Thaddeus (Blaise) Eason.
John Polt went 2 and 2 at 195. Polt’s first and second matches, he was pinned by Marshall Makowski and Chandler Brayton, respectively. Polt’s third, he won by forfeit, and his fourth match, he pinned Brandon Garza.
The Warbirds’ next competition is a dual with Schuyler on Thursday, January 29, at the Pierce auditorium.
