Junior boys fall in second round

Logan Murray drives to the basket in action against Rivercrest at the Brookland Invitational last Wednesday. Also pictured for the junior boys are Austin Murray (5) and Beau Wicker (20). (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

The Piggott junior Mohawks made it to the second round of the Brookland Invitational Tournament last week, but were eliminated by top-seeded Rivercrest by 13 points Wednesday afternoon. The contest was a spirited affair, which saw Mohawk head coach Josh Robins receive two technical fouls--the second of which came with an automatic ejection leaving assistant Michael Harrell to lead the Tribe down the stretch.

The junior boys had advanced to the second round of the invitational, which was being held instead of a junior district tournament this year, with a 57-26 drubbing of the Harrisburg junior Hornets Saturday, Feb. 6. Luke Brewer led the assault with 19, while Logan Murray finished with 12.

To say that the Rivercrest game started slowly would be a gross misstatement, as neither team scored in the first half of the first quarter. Finally, Rivercrest scored a field goal with 3:04 to go in the frame, and got a steal and layup moments later. For the Tribe, the Colts press caused problems in the transition game throughout the contest as the young squad continues to mature. As the first quarter drew to a close the Colts held on to the slimmest of leads 4-6.

In the second period both teams began to find their rhythm, although neither could gain much advantage. At the end of the first half the Colts were up by five points, as they took an 11-16 lead into the locker room at intermission.

The third quarter was the true tale of the contest, as the Colts stepped-up the defensive pressure. In the third period Rivercrest was able to outscore the Mohawks 8-1, as they took a 24-12 lead into the final frame.

During the fourth quarter the Mohawks began to get themselves back into the game, and early in the period pulled to within five points. But the first technical on Robins, which was called when he protested a no-call on a perceived Colt offensive foul, provided Rivercrest with a four-point turnaround.

Later, with 4:20 to play in regulation Robins picked-up his second technical foul and was ejected for the remainder of the game. Assistant coach Harrell stepped-in and guided the squad throughout the remainder of the contest, as the Colts went on to advance by a final of 25-38.

Luke Brewer led the Mohawks with 8 points on the game, while Will Jett finished with 6 and Beau Wicker had 3 points in the loss.

With the win over Harrisburg, and the loss to Rivercrest, the junior Mohawks end their season at 3-12 overall and 2-9 in 3A-3 conference play.