Pirate teams show grit, fight in Region 16 sweep at Penn Valley

The North Central Missouri College Lady Pirates started with seven players, and ended 50 minutes of basketball down to a determined group of five that led NCMC to a Region XVI road win at Penn Valley Community College, 96-90.

North Central trailed at the half 39-33, and after 3 quarters, 50-48.  After rallying to send the game to overtime, Jenni Croy’s team found themselves without starting forwards Sarah Lamp and Madison Gonseth, both fouling out.  Lamp, a freshman out of Kirksville, suffered through a physical game put to the floor by Penn Valley, sidelined twice in the first half after having Scout players land on the back of her head during loose-ball scrambles. She finished with 11 points in the win.

Down to an undersized five-some over the 10 minutes of overtime, North Central held firm and fought hard, withstanding a second-half surge by Penn Valley sophomore Mia Cushon in the process.

Head Coach Jenni Croy:

Kendey Eaton led NCMC with 22 points, McKinley Hurley had 20, Kelly Warford 17, and Jami Nickerson 12.  The Lady Pirates improve to 19-6 overall and 5-1 in Region XVI play.  Penn Valley, falling in their attempt to win three region games in a row, falls to 10-12 overall, and 2-4 in Region 16 play. Cushon had 29 points, Lexi Fells 27, Richelle Parker-Moore 12, and Corey Black 10 points for the Scouts.

Not to be outdone by the superb double overtime victory by the Lady Pirates, the Pirate men picked up the biggest win in the coaching career of Jeremy Esry, defeating Penn Valley 94-85.  The win pushes the Pirates to 13-8 overall, and 3-2 in Region 16, while dropping the Scouts to 18-5 overall, and 3-1 in Region 16 play.

Head Coach Jeremy Esry was very proud of his squad’s efforts in getting a victory in Kansas City:

Jalen Gant led a balanced North Central attack with 20 points, while Demetrius Houston had 18, Teyontae Jenkins 18, and M.J. Johnson 11. Penn Valley was paced by 18 points from James Byrd and Trevor Lamb, 15 points from Austin Johnson, and 10 points from Joseph Mebaley.

The North Central men will host the William Penn JV on Monday night at 7 o’clock.