Times SPORTS

STAFF

Nate Skidmore

The Powell County Pirates had high hopes before the season started, as do most high school basketball teams. But after a bad start, injuries and a mid-season coaching change, many thought if they could make the regional tournament it would take a miracle.

Not sure if it was a miracle, but Coach Blake Williams had the Pirates turned around down the stretch. So much so that they won the district in an impressive come from behind fashion and played quite the host for last week’s 14th Region Tournament.

But the dream of making a full turnaround fell short. Powell did avenge a close loss to Letcher Central by beating them with ease and last second heroics in the first round. But The Pirates fell to Hazard in the semifinals, bringing the season to a close.

In the opening round last Monday Powell took on the 53rd District Runner-Ups, the Letter Central Cougars. Just two weeks prior the Cougars escaped Stanton with a 56-52 victory. But on this night Powell was ready and wanted to have a good showing.

Powell started the game inspired. The Pirates opened with a cutback basket by Chimaobi Ajuonuma-Creed, a three pointer from Colby Cook and a driving baseline bucket by DaShaun Williams. Powell jumped out to a 7-0 lead. But the Cougars bounced back from being punched on the mouth early and made a run at the Pirates. When Gregory Kincer nailed two free throws the Cougars took a 12-11 lead late in the first quarter.

Powell answered quickly. Cook connected on another trey as time was running down. Then Williams hit a one handed floater in the lane as the horn sounded. Powell held a 16-12 lead after one quarter.

Powell held on to a slim lead throughout the rest of the half.  The Pirates picked up nine points in the second quarter, with Creed scoring seven of those. As the half finished Bryce Merion hit a 12- foot baseline jumper. Powell held a 25-22 lead.

The third frame saw Powell get a little reckless and missing some open shots. The Cougars seized  the missed Pirates opportunities. Fouls were also beginning to pile up. The Cougars clawed their way back and took the lead 32-29 as the two teams entered the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter became a flurry of action between the two teams. The lead changed hands seven times as both squads were fighting for a chance to keep their season alive.  As the game was reaching the end, free throws hurt and helped both teams. Down the stretch both teams missed opportunities on the line.

That trend looked to come a disappointing end for Powell when Letcher’s Caleb Stidham hit one of two charity tosses with :22 to play to make it 46-44. Powell needed a good plan and called time out with :11 to go in the game.

The play looked simple. The ball went to Cook for a three point attempt. But the shot was short and it looked like there were only Cougar defenders awaiting the rebound. In stepped Powell’s Nate Skidmore.

Skidmore grabbed the ball and muscled the it back up, while being fouled. The shot went in to tie the score with :01 to play. After a Cougar timeout to try to ice Skidmore, the senior stepped to the line and sealed a Powell victory when the ball went through the net to make it 47-46. A baseball pass down floor was broken up by Merion to put an exclamation mark on the win.

Powell was led by Cook with 14 points. Creed chipped in 11, all of those in the first half. Merion scored eight, Willams and Skidmore each added six points to the cause. Christian Parks came off the bench to score two.

The semifinal game against the Hazard Bulldogs last Friday was not as much fun for the Pirates. The Bulldogs jumped all over Powell, scoring the first nine points of the game. They built that lead- up from 13 to 15-2.  With the speed of their guards and inside dominance, it was all Hazard from start to finish.

The Bulldogs cruised to a 41-14 halftime lead. Powell did manage to pull to within 36-26 late in the third quarter with a quick run. But the Bulldogs answered the run.The Pirates just could not get over the hump. Another run in the final frame made it 45-37 with 4:41 to play.

But the Bulldogs would outscore Powell 13-2 down the stretch. The Pirates’ dreams of being the surprise of the tournament came to a halt. Powell fell to Hazard, 58-39.

Powell was led by Williams with a game high 22 points and was the only Pirate in double figures. Creed scored nine, Skidmore added four, Luke Pasley hit a trey and Cook addd two points.

Williams and Creed were named to the 14th Region All-Tournament Team. Williams was also honored for reaching the 1,000 Point Club.

The Pirates ended the season with a 13-15 record, which seemed like a dream after starting the season 3-12. But hard work and a belief in Coach Williams helped end the season on a 10-3 run.

Times SPORTS

STAFF

It is somewhat sad to say in an high school contest,  but the only real question in Powell’s first round game of 56th District Tournament last Monday night in Booneville was the final score. No disrespect to the Lee County Bobcats, but their youth and inexperience, much the same  as during the regular season, was no match for the Pirates.

Powell took the first round game in relatively easy fashion. The Pirates won going away, 69-37.

Powell’s size, speed and of course, experience aided in the huge win. The Pirates were able get 14 payers into the game, with 10 of them scoring, but everyone gave it their all and contribed to the victory.

Powell was dominant in just about every category. They hit 48 percent from the field (27-56) and were hot from three point range, hitting a blistering 53.3 percent (8-15). The Pirates even nailed down 7-of-12 charity tosses for a hot 58.3 percent. Powell even grabbed 40 rebounds in this game.

Compare that to Lee’s chilling 27.1 percent from the field (13-48) and cold three point shooting at 21.7 percent (5-23). The Bobcats did shoot 75 percent from the free throw line, hitting six of their eight attempts. But they were kept off the boards, gathering only 19 boards in the game.

Powell was led by DaShaun Williams with 23 points, he nailed three treys in five attempts along the way. Bryce Merion tossed in nine, while teammates Shayden Jones and Colby Cook each scored eight points. Chimaob Ajuonuma-Creed scored seven and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Powell in that category.

Luke Pasley added six, with two treys, while Jace Ware nailed a three pointer as well. Ethan Frazier and Colin Barnes each aded two points, and Ryan Graham sank a free throw in the win.

The win improved Powell’s record to 11-14. The win also advanced the Pirates to the 56th District Boys Tournament Championship Game. Powell was set to play Estill this past Thursday in that game, after the Engineers topped Owsley 50-38 in their opening round game.

The Pirates and Engineers will meet for the eighth straight year in the tournament championship game. Estill won last year’s title with a 64-45 victory. But of the previous seven matchups in the championship game the Pirates have won four of them.

TIMES SPORTS

WRITER

The Pirates started out on some rough seas this season. They dropped their first five games of the season, and 11 of their first 15. They lost their head coach before mid season. Injuries plagued them all season.

For some that would spell doom. But not for a Pirate.

In stepped assistant coach Blake Williams, the team got healthy and things began falling into place. Entering their regular season finale last Tuesday the Pirates had won six of their last eight games. The team even looked like a contender in a loss to Letcher Central. But there was still one game to go before tournament time.

Last Tuesday Powell hosted their neighbor to the north, Montgomery County. Powell looked good at times, but the Indian’s quickness, speed and size helped them to upend Powell, 69-63.

The Indians jumped out to quick 9-2 lead and pushed it out to 20-10 after the first quarter. Powell looked a little timid early on, missing open shots or rushing shots. The Pirates settled down some in the second frame, but still had to fight off some turnovers. Montgomery started spreading out their offense, forcing Powell to come out on defense. That allowed a few easy backdoor scores. The Indians led 36-25 at the half.

Powell came out more comfortable and with the Senior Night emotion worn off for the third quarter. DaShaun Williams, Colby Cook, Bryce Merion and Chimaobi Ajuonuma-Creed started playing more like they have in recent weeks. The result was a Pirate assault on the Indians defense. Creed and Merion went inside, while Cook started hitting the outside jumpers. Williams connected on short range shots and drove the ball to the basket as well.

Powell began chipping away at the lead. When Cook outback a missed shot with :31 to play in the third quarter, the lead was cut to three, 44-41.

The battle continued in the final frame. Montgomery went on a run to but Powell stayed close. The visitors were able to once agains spread the floor and push their lead to 61-52 with 2:31 to play. But Pirates never say die. Powell began another comeback drive. Merion and Williams led the charge and the 11-4 run. That run was capped off when Williams hit two charity tosses with :25 to play to make it a 65-61 game.

The rest of the game was played at the free throw lines. Montgomery hit the shots when needed and Powell just fell a little short. The Indians held on to win, despite a valiant effort by Powell, 69-63.

Merion led Powell with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the game. Creed poured in 17 points and grabbed 13 boards. Williams tossed in 15, while Cook chipped in 10 points and five rebounds.

Powell finished the regular season with an overall record of 10-14, but are 5-1 in district play to grab the top seed in this week’s 56th District Tournament at Owsley County. The Pirates were set to play Lee County in the first round this past Monday. Powell swept the season series over Lee with ease. The winner will play the Estill-Owsley winner on Thursday  in the championship game. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

TIMES SPORTS

WRITER

If last week was any indication the Pirates seem to be pulling together at just the right time. Powell took two wins in a three game stretch and in the loss looked like a contender for the title.

The Pirates came off a big win against Wolfe County on Jan. 31 to take on the Wolves in Campton just four days later. The game was a little more hard fought, but the Pirates hung tough on the road. The result was another Pirate victory over a young, but talented Wolfe County squad. Powell won, 73-66.

That set up a match up with the Letcher Central Cougars last Friday night in Stanton. Powell was looking for a performance that would let the 14th Region know that the Pirates not only were hosting the upcoming tournament, but had plans to win it as well.

Letcher’s size and physical style of play gave Powell some trouble early. The result was a game of catch-me-if-you-can between the Cougars and Pirates. The visitor jumped out to a 16-11 first quarter lead. As the second frame got underway the Pirates saw the deficit grow, but came firing back at the Cougars. When Bryce Merion nailed a floating jumper in the lane with 2:37 to go in the period, Powell pulls to winton one at 25-24.

But the Cougars went on a run. Powell tried to match it. But when the halftime horn sounded, Letcher held a 37-28 advantage.

Once again as the third quarter got underway the Pirates came roaring back. Back to back buckets by Chimaobi Ajuonuma-Creed and a fast break layup by DaShaun Williams made it 38-37. Letcher caught their second wind in the quarter and was able to push out to a 43-39 advantage as the final frame began.

The two teams looked like two prize fighters trying to out last their opponent in the final round of a heavyweight bout. Letcher would push their lead out only to see the Pirates fight their way back into the contest. Powell got close at 53-50 with :39 to play, but missed opportunities and missed free throws hurt the effort. Powell came up short, but played good enough not only to win but to send a message to the region. The Pirates fell in a close one, 56-52.

Powell was led by Merion with 19 points and Williams with 14. Creed chipped in nine points, while Colby Cook and Luke Pasley each scored five points.

The Pirates took to the hardwood again at home last Saturday. Their victim, ah, opponent, was the Eminence Warriors. The visitors were having a struggling season before meeting Powell. The Pirates took full advantage of that. Powell rolled to an easy and impressive 86-59 win. Eminence fell to 3-23 on the year.

Powell enters the last week of the regular season with an overall 10-13 record. The Pirates last home game was played this past Tuesday night as they hosted Montgomery County for Senior Night.

The Pirates will open up postseason play on Monday by playing Lee County in the first round of the 56th District Tournament. The tournament will be played at Owsley County. Powell opens the tournament at 6 p.m. on Monday. The winner plays the winner of Owsley-Estill on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the championship game.

TIMES SPORTS

WRITER

The Lady Pirates had already sealed up the top seed in the upcoming 56th District Tournament when they hosted the Lee County Lady Kats last Friday night. In fact, a come from behind 59-57 win at Lee County the Friday before sealed that spot. The game was just one to finish up the regular season district schedule, no importance in the standings.

Someone forgot to tell Lee County. The lady Kats came ready to make a point and almost did. But a strong comeback by the Lady Pirates and a never-say-die attitude helped Breanna Bush nail a game-winning three pointer late in he game. Powell once again came from behind to take an incredible 48-47 victory.

The game started out slow as Powell looked sluggish. Poor Lady Pirate passing helped Lee get a 9-5 lead after one quarter. The second period was not much better, but the home team did manage to fall into a better offensive rhythm. Lee held a 21-13 advantage at the half.

Both teams picked up the pace in the second half. Emily Branham and Macey Howell led Powell’s answers to Lee’s march through the Rodney T. Clark Gymnasium. Every time the Lady Pirates got close and tried to go to their designated three point shooter Bush, she just could not hit the shot. The week before she was 5-for-5, but on this night she missed 10 straight attempts.

The final frame started with the Lady Kats leading 39-29 and Powell needed to push hard to overcome the double digit deficit. At first it looked to be getting worse. With 6:15 to play Lee enjoyed a 43-30 lead.  The Lady Pirates kicked it into high gear. Branham and Howell got hot, hitting shots, stealing the ball and grabbing rebounds. Behind the inspired play the Lady Pirates went on a 15-4 run as the clock ran down.

Trailing 47-45 with just under a minute to go, Bush missed a three pointer and Branham’s put back attempt missed. The loose ball rebound ended up being a jump ball that gave possession to Powell. With time running out and after a Lady Pirate timeout, Branham went in for a shot in he lane. The shot missed and the loose ball became the focus. Howell went to the floor and came up with the ball. Surrounded by Lady Kats, she found a wide open teammate at th top of the key.

The quick pass by Howell ended up in Bush’s hands. Wide open and with the clock ticking, Bush launched her eleventh three point attempt. She may have come up short on the other 10, but this one, the one that was needed the most, hit the mark. With :28 to play Bush sank a three to give Powell their first lead of the night, 48-47.

Lee had two chances for the win. They missed a three and contested put back. As the horn sounded, the Lady Pirates celebrated. Powell escaped with a hard fought, miraculous comeback 48-47 win.

Powell was led by Branham with a game high 20 points and three steals. Howell tossed in 17 and grabbed 13 rebounds, for another double-double on the season. Both Howell and Branham played the entire game.

Bush had five points and Ashley King scored four points while picking up five assists. Sierra McKinney came off the bench to add two points and a much needed presence to thwart Lee’s inside game.

Earlier in the week Powell played a rough and tumble game against Fleming County. How rough? The visitors were whistled for 31 fouls and Powell went to the free throw line for 43 attempts.

Powell used their speed and experience to 38-25 half time lead. The second half was no better for Fleming. By the time the final horn sounded and the foul-fest ended, Powell picked up a well deserved 71-52 victory.

Powell was led by Macey Howell with a game high 22 points and nine rebounds. Emily Branham poured in 17 points, while Ashley King chipped in 13 points and nine assists. Breanna Bush tossed in nine points, Lauren Payne added six, Samantha Watkins scored three and Sierra McKinney hit a free throw.

Powell improved to 16-5, the second best record in the 14th Region. The win over Lee gave them a 5-1 district mark.

The Lady Pirates traveled to Perry Central this past Monday and return home on Thursday (tonight) to take on Wolfe County. Powell topped the Lady Wolves 79-55 last week. On Saturday Powell sets sail to Hazard for a big region game.

The Lady Pirates return home on Monday to host Breathitt County before hitting the road to Knott

Central on Feb. 13. Powell closes out the regular season at home on Feb. 15 against Western Hills for Senior Night.

Times Sports

STAFF

Emily Branham plays through the contact as she attempts a field goal against the Lady Engineers on January 11.

The Powell County Lady Pirates had a tough 24 hours. They started Friday hoping to ensure the top seed in the district and then top off the weekend with a win over a Lexington team. Well, one out of two is not bad.

Powell dropped a heartbreaker to Estill last Friday night in Irvine. But they did bounce back Saturday evening to beat Lexington Bryan Station and former beloved Pirates head coach Brian Hall.

The short trip to Estill County last Friday started with high hopes. After all Powell had no problem with the Lady Engineers on Dec. 14 in Stanton. Powell ran away with that win, 52-30. But the rematch was a quite different game.

Estill jumped out to take the lead early and held it throughout the first quarter. The home team enjoyed a very slim 11-10 lead. In the second period Powell used their speed to grab a short lived advantage. But the Lady Engineers fought back to tie the game and regain a lead. However, by time the halftime horn sounded  the score was 19-19, with both sides looking to figure out how to pull away.

Powell did just that in the third quarter, but the game was being played at a slow pace. That actually helped Estill. Powell was able to grab a lead on a trey by Breanna Bush. The Lady Pirates held a 28-27 lead entering the final frame.

Another three by Bush about midway in the fourth quarter gave Powell a 32-31 lead. It would be the last lead the Lady Pirates would enjoy. Foul trouble began to take a toll. Estill was able to connect on their charity tosses. Despite a good effort the Lady Pirates fell in a heart breaking outcome. Estill won  in a low scoring affair, 43-38.

Powell’s free throw woes were center stage in this game. The Lady Pirates only connected on 9-of-23 attempts for a very cool 39 percent, not much warmer than the temperature outside at game time. Estill, however, used the charity line as a catalyst. The Lady Engineers hit 17-of-22 for a blistering 77 percent. The home team scored 10 of their 16 points in the final quarter from the free throw line.

Powell was led by Macey Howell with 15 points and seven rebounds. Bush tossed in 10 points, while Lauren Payne chipped in seven. Emily Branham had three points, while Elizabeth Scott added three and picked up 10 rebounds. Ashley King had six assists in the game.

Powell dropped to 10-5 overall and 2-1 in the district race. Estill improved to 7-10 and 2-2 in the district.

The Lady Pirates returned to their home port last Saturday evening to take on Brian Hall and the Bryan Station Lady Defenders. The suspense for tis game ended early. Powell jumped out to a 22-9 lead in the first quarter. The visitors did make it a little interesting just before the half with a run. But Powell still led at intermission, 36-28.

Powell extended the lead in the third quarter. The Lady Pirates pushes out to a 52-40 advantage entering the fourth and final frame. The Lady Pirates held off a late push by Bryan Station to pick up the 69-58 win.

Powell was led by Macey Howell with a game high 29 points and she picked up 16 rebounds. Ashley King poured in 13 points and nine assists. Samantha Watkins added seven points and seven rebounds while Elizabeth Scott scored six points. Emily Branham, Lauren Payne and Kenna Neal each scored four points. Breanna Bush chipped in two points.

Powell improved to 11-5, while Bryan Station fell to 6-10.

The Lady Pirates was scheduled to play Owsley County in another 56th District boys/girls

varsity doubleheader this past Tuesday. Then tonight (Jan. 15) the Lady Pirates set sail for Wolfe County in a tough 14th Region matchup. Powell will return home on Saturday to host Leslie County before sailing into Knott Central on Monday for a 4:30 p.m. game.

Nate Skidmore

TIMES SPORTS

WRITER

It has been a tough season so far for the Powell County Pirates.

Injuries, sickness and a tough schedule do not quite go well together. But the Pirates just keep on working hard and hope it pays off later. With that said, the Pirates are still learning and experiencing some growing pains. That was evident in last week’s action as Powell dropped two games, one in a bizarre atmosphere.

Powell traveled to Buckhorn last Friday night in hopes that some holiday rest had helped them. But too many missed opportunities against a good team, led Powell to a 62-49 loss to the Wildcats.

It looked like a different team on Saturday night as Powell hosted Bourbon County. The Pirates took on a quicker and taller team in the Colonels. That was evident early on as the visitors took a quick lead, only to see Powell take back the lead when Chimaobi Ajuonuma-Creed nailed a shot in the lane to make it a 10-9 game with 2:53 to play in the first period. But Bourbon outscored their hosts 9-2 to close out the first and lead, 18-12

Bourbon’s defense had quick hands and picked up several steals, plus Powell’s shot selection seemed a little panicked early on. But the Pirates settled in as the second quarter saw a change in momentum. Key treys by Jace Ware and Luke Pasley gave the Pirates some much needed offense. By the time the halftime horn sounded, the Pirates held a 34-26 lead.

The game became more intense, both on the floor and with the fans, in the third quarter. The Colonel’s quick style and some big steals stifled Powell’s offense again. Bourbon opened the quarter with a 14-2 run to grab a 40-36 lead. Powell finally grouped, behind the inspired play of Creed and Pasley, the Pirates and Colonels traded baskets. Powell had a run of their own and the score stood at 49-49 entering the final frame.

Powell was once again riding the momentum swing in their favor as the fourth quarter progressed. The Pirates slowly built up a 55-50 lead with 5:18 to play. As both teams tried to make things happen, the game got a bit sloppy. The result was some hard fouls and calls that the crowd on either side did not agree with. At one point a Colonel coach was seen kicking the doors to the back hallway following a questionable call.

Then the most bizarre thing seen in a high school game in these parts in quite some time unfolded.

Bourbon’s Jace Wallace hit a driving fallaway jumper in the lane to make it 55-52, then was fouled after a Powell turnover. He missed the free throw, but play was stopped as school resource officers were trying to have a Bourbon fan leave the gym following an outburst. More Bourbon fans came across the floor and before long a male fan was arrested. A female fan was then also arrested after failing to follow officer directives and allegedly grabbing an officer. During that arrest she resisted, the fan, the officer and a female jail employee trying to assist the officer got tripped up and fell to the floor as they entered the lobby.

Several fans for Bourbon poured into the lobby area. Some Powell fans, mostly retired and off duty law enforcement officials, as well as jail staff, also went to assist the officers.  More officers were called to the gym, as the game was suspended and the players sent back to their locker rooms. When it all settled down, the game had been stopped almost 20 minutes.

Powell continued their hold on the lead as the game tried to get back to normal. Powell held a 58-54 lead with 1:50 to play. But Bourbon added two quick baskets by CaMarr Myers and Nakyir Joyce tied the game. The two teams traded free throws and baskets, but the Colonels took a slim 62-61 lead.

Powell was forced to foul when some shots were coming up short. The Colonels hit three charity tosses down the stretch, as Powell added one. The Colonels came from behind to win a bizarre game, 65-62.

Powell was led by Creed with 15 points and DaShaun Williams poured in 13. Pasley came off the bench to toss in 11 points and Bryce Merion chipped into.  Ware and Nate Skidmore each scored six points. Wallace led the Colonels with a game high 25 points. Joyce scored 15 and Myers added 12.

Powell fell to 3-11 and look to regroup this week. The Pirates were scheduled to play Menifee in Frenchburg this past Tuesday. Powell will then travel to Irvine for a boys/girls district doubleheader. The Pirates will then host Letcher Central in a matinee game at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

BY: TIMES SPORTS

WRITER

Anytime Powell and Estill meet in any sport, it is going to be a classic game. But on the gridiron it could make or break a team’s season. Add in an important night like Homecoming and the path to the district title clearly in sight, the pressure builds.

Now add in a saturated field and so much mud you cannot see anyones uniform number. How wet was the field? Linemen were washing the mud off their hands in puddles on the field.

Mix all that together and you get one heck of a game last Friday night in Stanton. The close game was blown open late as Powell met the challenge and cruised to a 43-22 victory.

Estill’s defense may have their sights on stopping one of the state’s top rushers in Powell’s Nate Skidmore. They may even have had plans to upend Austin Trent’s influence, with very little success. But if they looked at Powell quarterback Jon Brooks they missed the fact that he can run with the ball.

As Skidmore pushed ahead in the mud against the Engineer defense and Trent picked up some key yards along the sidelines on big runs, Brooks was the key. Brooks called his own number on four touchdown runs, including a 57 yard gallop into the end zone.

Despite the big runs, the game was close until the fourth quarter.

Estill struck first following a 35 minute lightning delay. Justin Stamper scored on a nine yard run at the 3:08 mark. Coben Clem added the two point conversion, as the Engineers led 8-0.

Powell answered quickly. On the Pirates next possession, facing a third down and short situation, Brooks broke loose along the right sideline for a 57 yard TD run. Skidmore added the two point conversion and with 2:24 to play in the first quarter the game was tied, 8-8

The mud made it difficult for both sides as runners slipped and fell trying to make cuts, some could not really get going and the ball seemed to hit the ground a lot. But both teams did manage to find some footing, enough to make the game interesting.

Following a bad Estill snap and a punt Powell took the lead early in the second quarter. With Trent and Skidmore grinding out the yards, the Pirates pushed the ball downfield. Brooks capped off the drive with an eight run, diving across the pylon for the score. Skidmore scored again on the two point try. Powell led 16-8 with 9:48 to play in the half.

Estill was not quite done with their ground attack either. Following a sloppy kickoff after the score Estill tried to drive, but Powell got the ball back. On the first play, Brooks pass was intercepted by Jonovan Miller. Two plays later the Engineers Chris Rigdon ran the ball into the end zone for five yard score. The two point try came up short, but the game was closer at 16-14.

Powell had a chance to extend the lead just before halftime. But they came up short. Powell held the slim 16-14 margin.

In the post-game team talk, Powell Coach Joshua Kincaid told his team, “At halftime I challenged you, and you met the challenge.” Though it was not clear what the challenge was, but if it was to keep battling and protect your home field the Pirates met that challenge. And then some.

But the transition took a little time.

Both teams started the second half a little slow. On Powell’s second possession of the third quarter the Pirates once again drove deep into Engineer territory. As Trent and Skidmore rush the ball and sloshed through the mud to get Powell closer, Brooks capped it off again. This time Brooks scored on a two yard run. But this time the two point failed. Powell held a 22-14 lead.

Estill opened the final frame with the ball and wanting to make a statement. They did just that. Rigdon broke loose for a 24 yard TD run. The Engineer’s workhorse, Stamper, added the two point conversion. The score was now tied at 22-22 with 11:51 to play in the game.

Despite a good effort by the visitors, it was all Powell from there on.

On the ensuing possession the Pirates rushers continued to grind out the yards. Powell capped off a 59 yard, seven play drive when Brooks jumped over the line from the one yard one for his third TD of the night. Skidmore scored again on the two point try. Powell regained the lead at 30-22 with 8:57 to play.

Estill took the kickoff, which for the first time in the game was a deep kick by Powell, and tried to get something started. Powell’s defense held tough and forced a fourth down and three yards to go situation on he 19 yard line. When most teams would punt, Estill decided to go for it with 6:40 to play. Rigdon got the call, but Powell’s  Jullian Knowles met him in the backfield. The result was a tackle for a loss and Powell got the ball back on Estill’s 16 yard line.

The call was gutsy, but it was also the game.

Two plays later Skidmore scored on an 11 yard run. Brooks tried a keep for the two point try, but it failed. Powell had some breathing room, leading 36-22.

Estill received another deep kick and tried to make a comeback. They went to the air in hopes of picking up some quick yards. But the Engineers hit a wall and tried another fourth down play. This one also came up short as the half back pass fell incomplete.

Powell got the ball back with 3:25 to play and was hit by a couple of procedure penalties. The calls moved Powell back, but a 40 yard TD run by Brooks put more points on the board. Bryan Baker added the extra point. It was all Powell would need, as they won going away, 43-22.

Brooks had a career night on the ground. The quarterback picked up 153 rushing yards on 12 carries. Trent also had a big evening, as he rushed for 122 yards on eight key carries. Skidmore ran 20 times and picked up 85 yards. Overall the Pirates ground assault rolled up 361 yards on the Engineer defense.

Powell’s defense held Estill to 238 rushing yards.Stamper ran 21 times for 141 of the yards, while Rigdon picked up 62 yards on nine carries. Clem and Ethan Webb each had 14 yards on the ground. In the air the Engineers had 30 yards.

The Pesky Pirates Defense had 76 tackles on the evening, 60 were solo tackles. Preston Wasson had 10 of those tackles, nine were solo take downs.  Lance Stevenson had nine tackles, while Justice Harmon, Julian Knowles and Skidmore each had eight takedowns. Knowles also had a sack. Allin all 17 Pirate defenders helped shut down the Engineer offense.

The win gives Powell a 6-1 record, 3-0 in the district. With Breathitt beating Morgan County 31-12 last Friday, the game this week’s matchup in Jackson will decide the district championship. The Bobcats are 5-3 overall and 3-0 in the district.

Staff Report

Postseason high school baseball and softball in Kentucky is quite exciting. Teams play all year with dreams, hopes and aspirations to go along with the hard work, sweat and tears to try to make it to the state tournament. Unfortunately only 16 teams will make the journey to higher Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington for baseball, or Jack C. Fisher Park in Owensboro for softball. Powell County’s teams made their run, but both teams came up a little short.

The Pirates baseball team had hoped to make a run toward their fourth region title last week. But despite a colossal first round game, their dreams ended in the semi-finals against the host Hazard Bulldogs.

Powell opened the 14th Region Tournament against the Breathitt County Bobcats on Memorial Day. The game started with both teams putting runs on the scoreboard, then they just turned on the afterburners. The Pirates bean scoring almost at will. By the time the game ended the score looked like a football score. Powell took the win, 23-13.

That set up a semi-final matchup with the Hazard Bulldogs. The Bulldogs were slated as one of the region’s favorites. The Bulldogs showed how those beliefs were warranted. Hazard scored five runs in the second inning and built up their lead. Meanwhile, Powell was held to only two hits. One hit was by Wyatt Clark and the other by Bryce Merion.

By the time the dust settled, Hazard took home a 10-0 victory. Hazard went on to beat Perry Central in the championship game. The Bulldogs will play Corbin this Thursday in the opening round of the state tournament.

Powell, under the direction of first year coach Frank Spencer, finished the year with an 18-14-1 record.

The Lady Pirates looked to be in a good position when the 14th Region Softball Tournament brackets were announced. But to make a run they would have to get past the Perry Central Lady Commodores in the first round Memorial Day game at Estill County.

Powell opened the game by putting two quick runs on the board in the first inning. But The Lady ‘Dores answered in their half of the first, by matching Powell’s two runs. The score stood that way until the bottom of the third as Perry added a run. They pushed another run across in the fifth to make it a 4-2 lead.

Powell, who has had some difficulty in keeping the bats going this season after grabbing an early lead, ran into the same problem again. Four of the first six innings saw Powell go three up and three down. The defense also had some issues, making six errors in the game. Those also proved to be costly.

Perry tacked on three runs in the sixth inning to take what seemed to be a commanding  7-2 lead. But Powell was not done. The Lady Pirates scored four runs in the top of the seventh, as Emily Branham, Olivia Nickell, Erika Howard and MaKayla Rucker each crossed the plate.

But the Lady Pirates ran out of steam. Despite an awesome comeback, the Lady Pirates fell short. Perry Central escaped with a 7-6 victory.

Powell was led by Rucker who was 3-for-4 with four RBI’s. Nickell was 2-for-4 and Haleigh Bauer was 2-for4 with an RBI.

Powell finished the season with a 15-14 record.