News

Jan 30, 2009
by Charlie Pieterick

There was little doubt about the likely outcome of the Pirates’ trip to Orting.  Having easily handled the under-manned Cardinals team in their first outing, the Pirates expected to have an opportunity to work on some things and allow the Vashon  bench to get some playing time. 

Still, the Cardinals resisted rolling over for the Pirates.  From the start when Orting controlled the tip by flicking the ball on its way out of the official’s hand, the Cardinals hoped to catch the Pirates off-guard.  They initially did.  Fueled by three triple-point shots, Orting managed to hold a lead through most of the first quarter.  Answering back with some threes of their own, the Pirates regained the lead before the end of the quarter and never looked back.

The Pirates opened the second quarter on a 12-0 run, largely on the back of hustle plays by Timm-Skove, stealing the ball twice and initiating the fast break.  Pirate assassins, Max Burnham and Pieterick each contributed two 3’s.  The Pirates were up 38-21 by the half and the Cardinals were looking a little overwhelmed. 

Timm-Skove pressed his case for being the Nisqually Leagues best inside attacker.  He started out the third with a miss and then cleaned up his own mess (twice!) for a score.  He demonstrated a nifty hesitation move then quick step to the hoop for another score.  Add a fast break finish in traffic and another steal for two and this writer was getting out of breath just watching!  Underclassman Quinn Holert was taking notes!  After hitting his second 3 to close the third period, Holert cleaned up an offensive board for two in the fourth.  He then drove around his man for a score before stealing a pass of a hapless Cardinal.

After a slow start, the game ended up being a display of Pirate workmanship and efficiency which should serve them well as the move through the final league games and on to district tournament play.

Pirate Points vs Orting:  Timm-Skove 19, Holert 14, Gage 12, Pieterick 12, Burnham 11, Kyle Bakker 4, Wegner 4, Jacobovitch 3, Hoffman 2, Weston 2, Michael Stoffer.