Pirates can’t contain Trojans
By Matthew Neal
Argus Observer
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 10:46 AM PST
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| Payette’s Jake Dyer makes the lay up on a fast break in Tuesday’s game against Nampa Christian. The Pirates fell 47-44, bringing their record to 2-1. |
Payette - The Payette Boys’ varsity basketball team lost 47-43 Tuesday night against the Nampa Christian Trojans in Payette, bringing the Pirates’ record to 2-1 for the season.
The Pirates outscored the Trojans 17-14 in the first quarter but gave up 14 in the second and the Trojans remained in the lead to the end.
"We gave up too many points too early," Payette head basketball coach Shawn Scow said.
The Pirates were down by two going into the second half due to the Trojan’s defense allowing only four points in the last three minutes of the first half while its offense scored 12 in the last five minutes of the second quarter.
The Trojan lead would continue to haunt the Pirates to the end.
"We haven't been in any close games yet and they need to learn to keep their composure,” Scow said.
Both teams battled through the third with only 14 points being put up by both teams, yet the Trojans had the advantage with nine points over Payette’s five and the game went into the fourth with the Trojans leading 37-31.
The Pirates outscored Nampa Christian 13-10 in the fourth but it was not enough to lessen the deficit.
"We didn't run our sets and we settled for weak shots instead of setting up and taking good shots," the coach said. "It was a physical game and we need to learn to adjust to the different referees.”
Pirate Jordan Schultz put up 11 points with two from the three-point line, and he was followed by Kacee Hirchert's 10 and Jake Novotny’s nine.
Nampa Christian's Marcus Lee led in scoring with 16 points, five from two-point range and one three-pointer.
Trojan Matt Arendse had 12 points for the night to help lead his team to victory.
"We came in flat in the second half and we just gave up too many points," Scow said.
Payette travels to Melba Thursday. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.
Melba .............................54
Nyssa .............................34
After fighting to a tough 13-12 first quarter lead, the Nyssa Bulldogs couldn’t stop the Melba Mustangs down the stretch.
Melba went on a 42-21 run over the next three quarters of play to cruise to a 54-34 win over Nyssa in non-league boys basketball action Tuesday in Melba.
“In the first half, the kids did a great job of sticking to the game plan,” Nyssa’s first year head coach Gabe Fuentes said. “They were sticking to the post and helping on the other side. The second half, we got tired. We kind of let it slip away in the fourth quarter.”
Doug Beus and Micah Owens led the charge for Melba scoring 14 points apiece and the Mustangs did most of their damage on the glass. Melba outrebounded Nyssa 36-21 with 14 rebounds coming by way of the offensive variety.
Nyssa connected on 12 field goals and was led by home-school product Jesse Martinez, who made good on six field goals for a team-leading 17 points and eight boards.
Carter Spear added six points and Artie Espinoza chipped in five points.
Although the Bulldogs are playing without top guns Eric Jensen and Jeremiah Leos, Fuentes feels good about the direction the team is headed.
“I definitely think there has been a lot of positive gains from last week to this week,” Fuentes said. “As the season goes on, that is going to be huge for us.”
Nyssa (0-3 overall) next travels to Marsing Friday.
