The Pioneer boys' basketball team played two tough teams this past weekend on the road. They faced a good CJI team and a good DGSG team as well. The Pioneers put in a great effort and worked really hard, and they kept improving every game, but unfortunately, they were handed two losses this last weekend. The amount they lost does not reflect the boys' effort. The final score for the CJI game was 21-74, and the final at DGSG was 45-90.
The Pioneers fought a good fight against CJI and started off strong, battling back in the first quarter to keep the score within 6 points. They finished the first quarter only down 8 points with a score of 7-15. The Pioneers had a great steal by Jayton Ophus and Karter Jurenka. Aidan Morsette hit a 3-pointer and had a nice take for another 2 points. Both Tommy Sant and Karter knocked down a free throw as well.
In the second quarter, the Pioneers were outscored 26-5. CJI had a tough press, and the Pioneers had some crucial turnovers that CJI took advantage of. Aidan scored on a deep 3-pointer for the Pioneers, and Tommy had a nice pass to Karter for 2 points. Karter also contributed with a rebound and block on defense. Unfortunately, the Pioneers went into halftime down 29 points with a score of 12-41.
To start the 2nd half, CJI went on an 8-0 run, but Aidan stopped their run with a nice steal and fast break layup. Jaesun Yirsa contributed with three boards, and Jayton also got 2 rebounds. Aidan scored on another take to the basket, but the Pioneers were headed into the last stanza with a big hole to get out of down by 44 points with a score of 16-60.
The Pioneers finished battling hard, with some buckets by Anderson Yeadon and Jaxson Jones. Anderson scored on a 3-pointer, and Jaxson had a nice drive and jumper. The final score was Pioneers with 21 and CJI with 74.
Team Stats vs CJI
: Rebounds: 20, with Jaesun having 7
; Free throws: 2/6
; Steals: 5 (all 5 were different players with one each)
; Assists: 2
; and Turnovers: 28
DGSG set the tone early by getting an AND1 on the game's first play. Jayton got a steal defensively for the Pioneers, and Jaesun got a rebound early and scored on a nice post-move. Aidan scored on a nice drive and a 3-pointer. Braxton Hajenga also scored on a 3-pointer, but the DGSG post player dominated low and scored a lot of buckets for DGSG. The Pioneers went into the second quarter down by 13 with a score of 12-25.
DGSG got a technical foul to start the second quarter, which led to a free throw from Karter and, on the following possession, a nice take by Karter for another 2 points. Travis Wilford got a nice rebound and putback for the Pioneers, and Karter finished the half with another drive to the basket for another 2 points. Unfortunately, the Pioneers were outscored by 24 points. They went into halftime down 37 points with a score of 22-59.
The Pioneers came out of halftime, putting down some big buckets and outscoring DGSG by 1 point. The Pioneers saw some great baskets by Jaesun, Karter, Tommy, Jayton, and Aidan with a couple of big 3-pointers. The Pioneers also had a lovely 3-pointer from Jaxson in the 4th quarter and a nice drive from Braxton. Both Anderson and Travis grabbed a rebound as well. The Pioneers fell to DGSG by 45 points with a score of 45-90.
Team Stats vs DGSG
: Rebounds: 24 with Karter with 6
; Free throws: 1/6
; Steals: 1
; Assists: 8 with Aidan and Karter each having 3
; and Turnovers: 23
