Pirates battle back, but fall to Andover Central at state tournament

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  • Senior JJ Letcher and his teammates get ready for their state game.

  • Senior Jalen Taylor gets the tip to start the first game of the 2017 4A-1 state tournament March 8.

  • Junior Doc Covington works on defense to try to shut down Andover Central in the first half. The Jaguars built as much as a 22-point lead in the half, but the Pirates erased the deficit and made the game a nail-biter in the final minutes, before falling 77-71.

  • Senior Bel Wilcoxen performs with the cheer team to get the crowd amped in the first half of the boys’ state basketball game.

  • Junior Doc Covington goes in for a shot against the Jaguars. Covington later gave Piper the lead with 45 seconds left in the game.

  • Freshmen Ally Neal, Emma Turley and Courtney Johnson talk during the halftime break at the boys’ state basketball game March 8.

  • Seniors JJ Letcher and Josh Houston fight to get a rebound from Andover Central.

  • Senior Bryant Rogers scores in the first half of the game trying to bring the Pirates back after they fell behind.

  • Junior Doc Covington helps senior Jalen Taylor off the floor after Taylor was fouled and tweaked an ankle. Taylor grimaced through the free throws, but remained in the game.

  • Senior Josh Houston tries to keep Andover Central from scoring in the last few minutes of the game.

  • Reality sets in for head coach Bryan Shelley and players on the bench as time runs out on the Pirates’ valiant comeback bid. The final minutes were especially tough with three starters fouled out. Seniors Jordan Goodpastor, J.J. Letcher and Bryant Rogers all contributed to getting the Pirates back in the game, before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

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Bailey Spencer, Photographer

After falling behind by 22 points in the first half, the Pirates fought back to take a 71-70 lead with 45.6 seconds left in the game. Out of a timeout, Jaguar senior Nicholas Taylor hit a three to retake the lead, and the Pirates were missed a shot and were forced to foul as Andover Central closed out the first-round with a 77-71 win.

Visit kcpipernews.smugmug.com to see more photos from the state tournament.

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  • Senior JJ Letcher and his teammates get ready for their state game.

  • Senior Jalen Taylor gets the tip to start the first game of the 2017 4A-1 state tournament March 8.

  • Junior Doc Covington works on defense to try to shut down Andover Central in the first half. The Jaguars built as much as a 22-point lead in the half, but the Pirates erased the deficit and made the game a nail-biter in the final minutes, before falling 77-71.

  • Senior Bel Wilcoxen performs with the cheer team to get the crowd amped in the first half of the boys’ state basketball game.

  • Junior Doc Covington goes in for a shot against the Jaguars. Covington later gave Piper the lead with 45 seconds left in the game.

  • Freshmen Ally Neal, Emma Turley and Courtney Johnson talk during the halftime break at the boys’ state basketball game March 8.

  • Seniors JJ Letcher and Josh Houston fight to get a rebound from Andover Central.

  • Senior Bryant Rogers scores in the first half of the game trying to bring the Pirates back after they fell behind.

  • Junior Doc Covington helps senior Jalen Taylor off the floor after Taylor was fouled and tweaked an ankle. Taylor grimaced through the free throws, but remained in the game.

  • Senior Josh Houston tries to keep Andover Central from scoring in the last few minutes of the game.

  • Reality sets in for head coach Bryan Shelley and players on the bench as time runs out on the Pirates’ valiant comeback bid. The final minutes were especially tough with three starters fouled out. Seniors Jordan Goodpastor, J.J. Letcher and Bryant Rogers all contributed to getting the Pirates back in the game, before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

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