Pirates Crush Graceland JV, Women Escape With Win
R-T Photo/Seth Herrold
North Central’s Caleb Berry throws down a dunk during the Pirates’ 100-58 romp over the Graceland University junior varsity on Wednesday night at the Ketcham Community Center in Trenton. Berry had 11 points in the win.
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Lady Pirates
The North Central women found themselves in a battle with an upset-minded Graceland JV squad. The Lady Pirates trailed 41-40 at halftime, but opened the second half with a nice run to establish a 10-point lead. Graceland got hot from the three-point line and quickly reeled in the Lady Pirates. The NCMC lead was cut to a mere two points, but Graceland was never able to regain the lead. The visitors had a decent look at a three-pointer at the buzzer, but the shot wouldn’t go, leaving North Central with the slim win.
“We just couldn’t stay in a good rhythm,” Lady Pirates’ Head Coach Jenni Croy said. “It seemed like we’d go on a short run and they’d answer with a three-point shot. We had really good minutes from our bench in this game, though. I think our nerves got the best of us in the first half, but we settled down in the second half and we were able to hang on for the win.”
Leading the Lady Pirates was Brooke Parton, who had 19 points. Narel Santos added 16 and Kaitlin Williams had 14. Madison Winters finished with 12 and Imani White rounded out the Lady Pirates’ double-figure performers with 11 points.
With the win, the NCMC women improved to 1-2 on the season. The Lady Pirates return to action on Saturday, playing host to Kansas City Kansas Community College at the Ketcham Community Center at 2 p.m.
Pirates
R-T Photo/Seth Herrold
Kaitlyn Hefley drives past a Graceland defender during the Lady Pirates’ 85-82 win on Wednesday night in Trenton. Hefley finished with two points in the win.
The men’s game was never in doubt as the Pirates jumped out to a big lead early. NCMC established a 12-point lead within the first two minutes of the game and held a 47-22 advantage at halftime. In the second half, the Pirates were on cruise control, going on to take the game by 42 points.
“We came out on fire,” Pirates’ Head Coach Steve Richman said. “Parts of the game looked good and other parts were sloppy. All the players scored in the game.”
Tyrell Thirkield led the way for the Pirates with 18 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Jory Woodson added 15 points and six assists and Xavier Newson had 15 points. The Pirates also got 11 points from Caleb Berry and seven rebounds from David Barton.
The win moved the Pirates to 2-0 on the season after they picked up an 80-74 win over Johnson County Community College on the road Tuesday in Overland Park, KS. Thirkield led NCMC in that contest with 18 points and eight assists. Jory Woodson had 18 points as well, going four-for-five from the three-point line, and Newson had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Barton reached double-double status as well with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Terrance Bush had eight points and Berry had six.
The men will return to the court on Friday, beginning play in the Indian Hills Classic in Ottumwa, IA. The Pirates play Shawnee Community College of Illinois on Friday at 5 p.m. and Lee College of Texas Saturday at 5 p.m. Both teams are NJCAA Division I teams.