In simplistic terms, the River Rats opened the door allowing Pioneer to walk into the win column on Tuesday night in a thrilling, very well-played boys’ basketball game between two SEC heavyweights. But there was nothing simple about it – Pioneer’s 54-53 win over visiting Huron was the result of hard work, strong play, timely baskets and one big basket that made the difference in the end.
And let’s start there – at the end.
The River Rats, who trailed by nine points heading into the fourth quarter, erased the deficit and took a 48-47 lead on a basket inside by the extremely talented Macari Moore, who Pioneer had trouble defending all night long. Pioneer took the lead right back at 49-48 on two free throws by point guard Nelson Sompa with 2:22 left in the game.
SEE WLAA PHOTO GALLERY – 100 PHOTOS
Moore knocked down a pair of free throws at the other end to give Huron the lead back at 50-49 with 1:46 left to play in the game. But Pioneer’s Morgan Lyle drove to the basket and delivered the lead back to the home team at 51-50.
With 50.8 seconds left to play, Moore went inside and converted a tough three-point play to give the River Rats a 53-51 lead.
Pioneer’s Lyle had a good look at a triple but missed and Huron’s Justin Latham grabbed the rebound. The River Rats then called time out – and then they opened the door.
With Pioneer pressing, Huron threw away the in-bound pass, giving the Pioneers another shot with 28 seconds left in the game. And this shot they didn’t miss.
SEE WLAA PHOTO GALLERY – 100 PHOTOS
Pioneer’s Tyler Mutinda got the ball out near the wing, and handed it off to teammate Micah Powell, who came swinging around to the corner. Mutinda then set a solid screen to give Powell a little space. Powell caught the ball, took a few steps and launched a triple. The ball bounced off the rim, then the backboard and then through the net with about 13 seconds left to play.
Huron got the ball to Moore who launched a long three but the ball hit the back of the rim and Pioneer grabbed the rebound to secure the win.
“It was a great high school basketball game,” said Pioneer Coach Rich Marion. “Great defense by both teams the first three quarters and then each team made multiple plays in the fourth quarter.”
It was a game both teams battled all night long. There were no easy baskets and plenty of tough baskets, especially inside.
“My biggest compliment for our guys is we grinded every single possession on both ends, for every 50/50 ball and when you do that, you give yourself a chance to make plays late,” Marion said. “They proved their mental toughness.”
SEE WLAA PHOTO GALLERY – 100 PHOTOS
Seniors Mutinda and Nate Freisthler each scored 12 points for the Pioneers. Lyle had 11 points, Powell had 10 points, and Jordan Harrison scored seven points for the home team.
Moore, only a junior, finished with a game-high 35 points, including 14 in the final quarter to help bring the River Rats back into the game. Kaleb Brown had six points (all in the fourth quarter), Mohamed Doumbouya had five points and Lathem had four points for Huron.
After Pioneer had led for most of the first quarter, a dunk by Moore helped give the River Rats a 10-9 lead after one.
Jumpers by Harrison and Mutinda gave Pioneer a 17-13 lead early in the second quarter. After another basket by Mutinda, who played an outstanding game, Huron’s Jaydon Keefer scored inside to cut the lead to 19-15. A put-back by Latham late in the quarter brought Huron to within 19-17 at halftime.
The first part of the third quarter was back and forth. Moore tied the score at 23-23 and Huron took the lead off another put-back by Latham at 25-23 with 4 minutes left in the period. With 2:40 left in the quarter, Moore hit a triple to give the River Rats a 28-25 lead.
But Pioneer went on a 14-2 run that started with a triple by Powell and a basket inside by Lyle. A triple by Lyle gave Pioneer a 35-28 lead. After Moore hit two free throws for Huron, Powell and Mutinda delivered two free throws each to give Pioneer a 39-30 lead after three.
SEE WLAA PHOTO GALLERY – 100 PHOTOS
Watch replay of the entire game on CTN HERE
