Pirate Run Ends at Quarterfinals

  • Pirate Run Ends at Quarterfinals
    Pirate Run Ends at Quarterfinals
  • The Pirates played a memorable game at 'The Pit' with the home crowd watching against the Highland Hornets in the quarterfinals in the Nusenda Credit Union state boys’ basketball playoffs. The Pirates came up short 61-50 to the Hornets who were the eventual champion in 4A. Franklin Romero - CC
    The Pirates played a memorable game at 'The Pit' with the home crowd watching against the Highland Hornets in the quarterfinals in the Nusenda Credit Union state boys’ basketball playoffs. The Pirates came up short 61-50 to the Hornets who were the eventual champion in 4A. Franklin Romero - CC
  • Boudy Melonas, 3, with a move on a defender last week in the quarter-final games against the Highland Hornets. Melonas had 27 points for the Pirates in that game. Franklin Romero - CC
    Boudy Melonas, 3, with a move on a defender last week in the quarter-final games against the Highland Hornets. Melonas had 27 points for the Pirates in that game. Franklin Romero - CC

The Pirates boys’ basketball team's run at the state tournament ends in the quarter finals match-up with district rival, the Highland Hornets, overcoming a late 4th quarter rally by the Pirates to defeat the hometown team by a score of 61-50.

“We faced adversity through the game—a lot of lead changes–we have been in this position before and we were cool, calm and collected– it just didn’t go our way,” said Landon Chavez head coach of the Pirates boys’ basketball team. “We started the game really well.”

The Pirates played well in the first quarter and had a 13-10 lead at the end of the 1st quarter.

The 2nd quarter Highland rebounded and outscored the Pirates 16 to 7 for a 26-20 lead heading into halftime. The Pirates rallied in the 3rd quarter with a 12point scoring run and outscored the Hornets 18 to 17 points.

The momentum carried into the 4th quarter, however Highland answered back with 18 points in the 4th quarter compared to the Pirates’ 12 points. At one point the Pirates came within 4 points 54-50 forcing Highland into a timeout.

The Pirate certainly gave the Hornets a good run for their money as there were 6 lead changes during the game as the tenacious Pirates battled on the hardwood.

Summing up the game Chavez said, “They got them to the line too often and we didn’t get to the line enough,” said Chavez.

“We are almost double in the foul discrepancy—especially when they shoot above 70 percent from the free throw line.” The foul count was 25 for the Pirates to10 for the Hornets.

Boudy Melonas led the Pirate charge with 17 points for the night. “I just played hard,” said Melonas.

“I had to step up,” said Dominick Gonzales of the Pirates, who gave the team very good minutes, especially in the second half.

“Hats off to Grants, they played really well–that’s what we expected–Grants is going to give us their best shot,” said Justin Woody Head coach of the Highland Hornets. “Our district is deserving of 3 teams being in the final 8 – Grants proved that tonight.” ` “I think we’ll make some noise next year,” said Chavez as he summed up the season.

In addition to Boudy Melonas’s 27 points, Dominick Gonzales had 8 points, Tristan Fernandez had 6 points, John “JJ” Horacek had 4 points, Donte Victorino had 3 points and Noah Victorino had 2 points.