The PCHS Pirates stand together for the national anthem before their 45-29 victory over PVHS ON December 18th. Photo courtesy of Shelly Bennett
GUILFORD– The Piscataquis Community High School (PCHS) Pirates needed a spark. That is exactly what sophomore Erin Speed gave them during the third quarter of a 45-29 victory over Penobscot Valley High School (PVHS) on Friday evening.
Speed scored 14 points in the third quarter, as the Pirates outscored the Howlers 20-7. The Pirates scored 34 points in the second half. This was after, PCHS scored 29 points in the previous six quarters. They lost to Dexter 22-18 last Saturday and were trailing 14-11 against PVHS at the half.
“Erin (Speed) came out hot as a pistol. That is a shooting performance where we have to go back a few years to find someone who came out and hit 4 three pointers in one quarter,”PCHS coach Brian Gaw said. “That was a great performance and we needed it. We were struggling on offense. We scored 29 points in the last game and half. We scored 20 in that quarter.”
Speed added, “I was just open and kept shooting. I usually make just one or two per game.”
Delani Bennett can be dominate, but she didn’t get that chance against the Howlers. She was limited to 18 minutes due to foul trouble throughout the contest. Gaw switched things up with his post player on the bench. The Pirates pressed all over the court, as they went on an 11-0 run to end the third quarter and take a 31-21 lead.
Speed said, “We knew once we get a certain five in, we are really fast and can press to get them to turn it over a lot.”
Freshman Alivia Hunt saw her first varsity minutes against Howlers. It was obvious right away, that the freshman can make a big impact for the 2015/2016 Pirates. PCHS outscored PVHS 35-19 when Hunt was on the floor. Hunt is returning from an injury suffered early in the soccer season.
“I knew we could put a lineup out there that could be pretty quick. We are just getting everyone back healthy. The key was getting Alivia Hunt back. She is a pretty good athlete,”Gaw said. “Tonight was the first varsity minutes she (Hunt) played this year, she really sparked us. She hit a big basket in the first half when we didn’t score in forever.”
The Pirates sealed the victory with a 13-2 run in the fourth quarter. Speed led the way for PCHS with 22 points (6 three pointers), eight steals, and four rebounds. Jordynne Littlefield recorded 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Bennett scored seven points and pulled down eight rebounds. Hunt added four points, while Courtney Deane chipped in with four points. PCHS (3-1) will travel to Penquis on Monday.
Samantha Ireland led the way for the Howlers with 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. Mikayla Roy added eight points, while Elizabeth and Arianna McKinnon chipped in with five points each. PVHS (4-2) will travel to Searsport on Monday.
