Pierce Bluejays Battle Against Omaha Concordia at State
By Jana Stone
The Pierce Bluejays made a long journey to Lincoln to play in the first round of the state basketball games on Wednesday, March 8. Pierce played the day's second game at the Devaney Center at 10:45 a.m. against the Omaha Concordia Mustangs.
Senior Abram Scholting said, “It was pretty cool, being able to play in a great environment was a great experience, and I’m glad that our last game could be in a state game.”
Pierce started the game off slow and tried to work past the defense of Omaha Concordia. Pierce scored five points but was unable to keep Concordia from scoring. The first quarter came to an end with the Mustangs leading 11-5. Benjamin Brahmer was the only Pierce player able to score in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Bluejays tried to make a comeback but fell short by a few points. The Mustangs were not able to score as many points with Pierce’s defense. Pierce scored 11 points while Concordia only scored nine points. Colby Anderson made a 2-pointer, Scholting made a 2-pointer and a free throw, and Brahmer made three 2-pointers. At the end of the first half the score was 18-16, and Pierce was only down by two points.
Coming back from the half, Pierce worked hard to get past Concordia’s defense but they were not strong enough. Pierce scored nine points while Concordia scored 14. Brahmer made two 2-pointers and sank a 3-pointer. At the end of the quarter, the score was 32-25.
In the last quarter of the game, the Bluejays were able to get past the Mustangs in scoring. Pierce scored 20 points but that was not enough to win the game. Concordia scored 21 points. Deon Watts sank a 3-pointer, Anderson made a 2-pointer, and Scholting made the most points with three 3-pointers, a 2-pointer, and two free throws. The game ended with a score of 53-45.
Coach Mike Emory said, “I am very proud of this team's accomplishments this year. They won the Wayne State College holiday tourney, and the Mid-State conference tournament, and were district champions. They also qualified for the state tournament. They left everything they had on the floor down in Lincoln and had nothing to hang their heads about. I’m very proud of how they conducted themselves all year in school, practice, and games!!!”
The Bluejays end the year with a 22-4 record.
