The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The Pioneer basketball looks different from last year’s State contenders. They have two seniors this year, not just one, as reported earlier, with a team of 14 players. There are only four upperclassmen, and the rest comprise a team of younger players. I will tell you, though, that this team worked hard and tried to correct the mistakes that came along. The Pioneers showed true heart but came up with a loss in their first game against Dutton/Brady 48-74. The Pioneers then turned around the next day, played North Toole, and shot the lights out of the gym, scoring on a team total of 17 three-pointers, beating North Toole 73-16. Two completely different games, and as the season goes on, I know this Pioneer team will improve and get better every game.

The Pioneer team, led by senior leader Lane Demontiney, had some aggressive defense and great hustle right from the beginning, diving after loose balls and running the floor to stop fast break situations from North Toole. Unfortunately, the Pioneers had 25 turnovers and struggled to set up an offense. They still had great shots, post moves, and drives to the basket for scores from Ryder Galbavy, Lane, Eyon Sherburn, and Karter Jurenka. Ryder did a great job with rebounds and Eyon and Lane. Karter got several steals to help the Pioneers with their defensive pressure. The Pioneers went into the 2nd quarter down by 6 with a score of 15-21.

The 2nd quarter was like the first, with fewer turnovers, some excellent jumpers from Lane Demontiney, and rebounds from Eli Dixon. Eyon had some great blocks, while Karter scored on a floater in the middle of the key. Eli also made a 3-pointer, and Ryder had some great boards on both ends of the floor. The Pioneers couldn’t match Dutton/Brady basket for basket and went into halftime down 10 with a score of 29-39.

Unfortunately, the 2nd half started with a turnover by the Pioneers, which led to several more throughout the quarter, while Dutton/Brady took advantage of it. Eli had had some great steals and buckets himself, but the Pioneers couldn’t capitalize on the steals they got from Lane or Eli. Dutton/Brady outscored the Pioneers 17-10 in the 3rd quarter, putting the Pioneers down 39–56 going into the last quarter of play.

Dutton/Brady doubled their lead in the 4th as the Pioneers struggled, but the Pioneers never quit. Their hustle after loose balls, their hustle down the floor, and their positivity still showed as they tried to claw their way back into the game with plays from Lane and Eyon, but ultimately the Pioneers lost with a final score of 48-74.

Against Dutton/Brady Lane, Demontiney had 21 points and six steals, and Eyon Sherburn had 10 points and five rebounds.

The next day’s game against North Toole was a completely different story. The Pioneers shooting was a force to reckon with; they scored 17 three-pointers, and everyone felt it on the court. Lane Demontiney had seven three-pointers, Jaxon Jones had 3, Ryder Galbavy had 2, Eyon Sherburn had 2, Karter Jurenka, Jaesun Yirsa, and Sonny Phillips all had 1. The Pioneers ended up winning 73-16. The Pioneers held North Toole to only 1 point in the 1st quarter, going into the 2nd quarter with a score of 21-1. The Pioneers then held North Toole to 4 points in the 2nd quarter, going into halftime with a score of 46-5. The Pioneers had contributions from several players, and several players helped the team with rebounds, hustles, points, blocks, and steals. The Pioneers had great games from Lane, Eli, Ryder, Karter, Jaesun, Jackson, Eyon, Sonny, and Travis Wilford. The Pioneers dominated all aspects of the game: rebounds, steals, hustle, and defense. The final score was 73-16.

Against Sunburst Lane, Demontiney had 28 points with 7/15 for 3-pointers, six assists, and four steals, and Ryder Galbavy had 16 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. As a team, they had 14 steals and only six turnovers.

After Saturday’s game, Rhett Simonton, a few words coach, said, “It was definitely better for us today. We got some things figured out, and things were finally clicking. We need experience and keep improving each week.”