After traveling over nine hours one way, the girls will compete in a play-in game tonight in Baker City in hopes of moving into the final 16 competing in 4A state playoff action. The long postseason road trip game was a result of a loss against Douglas Tuesday night in Coquille.
The Pirates could not overcome the hole they dug in the overtime game, losing 39-34.
Senior Corey Shaffer, was one of those who joined the small but intense student section at the game.
“The game felt like there was a lot of intensity,” said Shaffer.
The Pirate crowd, including a small but loud student section, along with many other supporters, the band and cheer team, was overwhelming compared to Douglas’ fans.
Junior Brandi Thompson, who could not play due to a head injury, was surprised by the volume of the fans.
“With big calls the room roared with noise,” Thompson said.
According to Thompson, the team had several strikes against it. Many of her teammates were injured or ill, including senior Carli Clarkson, one of the team’s leaders, who was sick and played very little. Thompson also said there were controversial calls that resulted in loud reactions from fans on both sides, which she believed affected how the team played.
The Pirates led for the first three quarters. It was not until the clock had five minutes left in the fourth quarter that Douglas took the lead, 25-22. Then freshman guard Tess Garrett was fouled shooting a three. With .8 seconds left, Garrett, swooshed all three free throws and tied up the game.
“It was an exciting moment for the team, the students, and the fans for her to make all three of her free throws to send the game into overtime,” Shaffer said.
During the course of the overtime, the Pirates fouled Ally Schofield twice, sending her to the line four times and she made all four free throws to put Douglas up by four.
“We fouled the wrong players,” Thompson said.
The loss gave the Pirates one practice day before they hit the road yesterday to make the long trek across the state to face Baker on their home floor. With a win tonight the Pirates would secure the opportunity to move on to the round of 16.
The game will be broadcast on KMHS Pirate Radio, 91.3 FM, at 7 p.m.
