GUILFORD–The Piscataquis Community HIgh School (PCHS) Pirates scored 24 points in the first quarter and held on for a 66-65 win over Valley on Thursday night.
The Pirates made 11 three pointers, including six in the first quarter. Caleb Crocker scored 11 of his team high 19 points in the first half to help PCHS hold a 41-32 halftime lead.
Valley outscored PCHS 12-7 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 48-44. The Cavaliers scored the first basket of the fourth quarter to make it 48-46. PCHS followed with a 5-0 run to get it back to a seven point lead. Joey Thomas drained a long three pointer to cut the deficit to 53-49.
The teams swapped baskets as the score was 57-53 until Crocker drained a three pointer to give the Pirates a seven point lead with 4:10 remaining.
Caleb Willis made a shot to expand the lead to 62-53, Willis followed that up by blocking a shot on the other end. PCHS held a 64-56 lead with under one minute left. Thomas made a three pointer to cut the deficit to five with 41 seconds remaining.
Keegan Farnham made a three pointer for Valley to make it 64-62 with 18 seconds left. Kobe Gilbert made two free throws with 16 seconds remaining to give the Pirates a 66-62 lead. Thomas made a deep three pointer with eight seconds remaining. PCHS threw the ball away on the inbounds pass in the final seconds, Valley could not get a shot off in time as the Pirates prevailed.
Thomas scored 16 of his game high 21 points in the fourth quarter. Thomas made five three pointers and also had five assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Farnham had 15 points. Spencer Hunnewell had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Zach Walter also put in 12 points. Mason Wyman scored five points and pulled down 18 rebounds. Valley (6-4) will play at Greenville next Tuesday.
Valley out rebounded PCHS 39-28. Valley shot 2-4 from the free throw line, PCHS shot 7-11.
Gilbert recorded 15 points and eight rebounds for the Pirates. Eben Cooley totaled 13 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Caleb Bailey and Willis added seven points each. Willis also had four steals. Matt Robinson chipped in with five points. Crocker added eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists to go along with his team high point total. PCHS (5-4) has won five straight and will host Dexter in a game that can be seen on WHOU on Monday night at 7.
