ROYAL CENTER —
Pioneer’s boys basketball team is ranked for the first time in nine years.
Rival Lewis Cass did its best to knock the Panthers back out of the rankings.
The Kings recorded a 51-48 win at Class A No. 7 Pioneer Friday night in their annual rivalry contest.
Cass big men Ryan Aldridge and Jordan Miller each recorded 15 points and six rebounds to lead the Kings (6-3) to their fourth straight victory.
“You have to give credit to the team,” Aldridge said. “Our guards did a great job driving in and finding us for good shots.”
Cass snapped Pioneer’s seven-game winning streak. Also for the Kings, Blake Hadley scored 11 points, Austin Keisling had six and Owen Ohman and David Watterson chipped in two apiece.
The Kings’ main focus was defense going into the game.
“We knew we would have to slow down their guards, and I think Watterson and Ohman played a great game defensively,” Cass coach Jon Kitchel said. “Pioneer is a very good basketball team. To be able to go there a get a win is huge for us. I think we played great as a team and that was the big key in this game.”
There was a big crowd on hand that made for a great atmosphere for the cross-county rivalry.
After a back-and-forth first quarter that ended with the teams tied at 12 points apiece, the Kings’ aggressive defense started disrupting the Panthers’ shooting and left Pioneer (8-3) trailing 29-22 at the half.
“You’ve got to give credit to Lewis Cass, they were well coached and prepared. They came out aggressive and played harder than we did in the first half,” Pioneer coach Pat Skaggs said.
The third quarter was a battle inside, as Pioneer senior Matt Dorris scored 10 points in the paint trying to revive the Panthers. But at the other end, Miller and Aldridge scored nine apiece inside to keep the Kings ahead after three, 40-32.
Pioneer was able to get things going in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Kings 16-11, but the late surge wasn’t enough as the Panthers fell short on a last-second 3-point attempt.
Pioneer was led by Dorris, who finished with a game-high 18 points to go along with four rebounds and two blocked shots. Also in double figures was sophomore Carter Skaggs, who added 10 points. Brandon Scruggs had nine points, three assists and two steals.
“I think we waited too long to get things going and we didn’t do enough of the little things that really good teams do, but I thought we had some positive things to build off as well,” Pat Skaggs said. “Matt Dorris played great and I thought our bench was able to come in and give us some valuable minutes. We will have to become more consistent and better at those small things in order to keep getting better as the season continues.”
Cass travels to Logansport tonight.
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Lewis Cass' Ryan Aldridge looks for a teammate to pass the ball to as Pioneer's Alex Boonstra defends Friday night in Royal Center. P-T photo | Annette Spear
Discussion
Kings take down Class A No. 7 Pioneer
- Local Sports
-
-
SOFTBALL: Kings repeat
For the second straight year North Miami brought a highly ranked and highly accomplished softball team to face Lewis Cass for the sectional championship.
And for the second straight year the Kings came out on top. -
Logan baseball tops Harrison 8-0 to advance
Neither Harrison nor a 36-minute rain delay could slow down Logansport’s baseball team on Wednesday.
The Berries got a strong pitching performance from Kyle Jordan and broke open a close game with a five-run fifth inning in an 8-0 win over the Raiders in a Class 4A, Sectional 7 first-round game at Highland Park. -
SOFTBALL: Logan lets 9-run lead slip away in sectional loss to Jeff
Logansport’s softball team hovered around .500 this entire season, but the Berries knew they had the talent to contend for the always highly competitive Class 4A, Sectional 7 title.
-
Kings begin sectional title defense with win over Northfield
It’s been an up and down season for the Lewis Cass softball team.
But the Kings were in postseason form in the opening game of the Class 2A Cass Sectional. They opened the defense of their sectional crown with a 4-2 win over Northfield. -
BOYS TRACK: Calisto claims sectional title
Logansport junior Alex Calisto was nearly in the identical spot he was in exactly one year ago.
But this time, he didn’t have to settle for second place. -
Redman perseveres
Timing can be everything.
Unfortunately for Logansport senior Seanna Redman, she suffered a devastating knee injury right in the middle of her senior year. -
GIRLS TRACK: Regional bound
The Logansport, Lewis Cass and Pioneer girls track teams made the long trek to Madison-Grant High School for action in the 2013 Madison-Grant sectional. Several area girls had successful nights and will be advancing to regional action.
-
SOFTBALL: Berries bring intensity in win at Cass
Intensity and defense.
An abundance of the former and a lack of the latter made the difference in Monday night’s softball matchup between the Logansport Berries and the Lewis Cass Lady Kings. -
Trey Baseball: New Castle star leads sweep
There were approximately 30 Major League scouts on hand to watch New Castle star Trey Ball Saturday afternoon at Jim Turner Field.
-
FRIDAY ROUNDUP: Panthers end Warriors’ MWC title streak in boys golf
Pioneer’s boys golf team took down Midwest Conference stalwart Winamac at the conference meet at Pond View G.C. on Friday.
The Panthers defeated the Warriors by five strokes, 338-343. The Panthers won their first MWC title since 2002. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
SOFTBALL: Kings repeat
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
