The WCMS Pioneers built a sizeable lead in the first half with constant pressure on the ball versus the Morrison Eagles.
The Pioneers defeated the Eagles by a final score of 32-22 on Tuesday night in 5-6 grade basketball.
Chance Hunter for the Pioneers led all scorers with 12 points. The Pioneers went to Hunter time after time and he backed down the defender under the basket for scores in the paint. The Eagle defense did its best to fend off the attack by Hunter.
A full-court pressure defense created transition points for WCMS on several occasions. Eli Kuykendall and Raleigh Gilliam were quick enough to anticipate the pass and get the ball going back the opposite direction in a hurry. Both Pioneer guards combined for a pair of first-quarter baskets.
The Morrison offense was bogged down in the first half and struggled to find openings in the first quarter. Tyler Dunn carried a heavy load on offense for Morrison. He refused to quit and collected the only four points for the Eagles in the opening period.
It was more numbing Pioneer defense in the second quarter. WCMS picked up on Dunn after he led the Eagles in the first quarter. The Pioneers forced someone else to shoot in the second. Ethan Hillis picked up his first two points of the game just before the half. Kaden Desmarais drained 1-of-2 from the free-throw line for the Eagles.
WCMS continued its attack on the inside of the Eagle defense before the half. Hunter continued to pound the ball deep into the paint. He added four points to his total before the half. True Craven was fouled on his way to the rim and he knocked down 1-of-2 foul shots for his only point of the game.
The two teams headed into the half with WCMS out front 14-7.
The Pioneers started right back where they left off and they attacked the Eagle defense down low to start the third. Hunter added five more points to his total in his quest to control the paint. The quick hands of Layne Roberts picked the pockets of the Eagle offense and he got his first three points in the third off turnovers.
The Morrison offense did pick up its intensity after the half. Dunn was able to get free and found an open look and his shot found the bottom of the net. Desmarais knocked down another basket and also pulled the trigger from the top of the key from behind the arch for a clutch 3-pointer. The Eagles trailed 24-14 after three.
The two teams went toe-to-toe in the fourth and traded blows throughout the fourth. The Eagle offense was finally settled in and started to come together. The defense could not get it together enough and needed stops. Hunter Musgrove was held scoreless until the final period when he got a shot the drop.
Musgrove drew a constant double-team from the Pioneer defense and although it is a compliment to his game, it can make for a long night.
Roberts took over the offense in the fourth quarter for the Pioneers and he added six more points to his total. It was all Pioneer defense Tuesday as WCMS defeated the Eagles, 32-22.
PIONEER SCORING – Chance Hunter 12, Layne Roberts 9, Eli Kuykendall 6, Raleigh Gilliam 4, True Craven 1
EAGLE SCORING – Tyler Dunn 8, Kaden Desmarais 8, Ethan Hillis 4, Hunter Musgrove 2