GODDARD — Ark City senior Trevor Pierce scored a career-high 34 points Friday night on the road in the Bulldog’s 76-68 double overtime win at Goddard.
He also had seven rebounds, shot 77% from the field and was 11-of-12 at the free throw line. He also registered a thunderous block to put the lid on the Lions late in the second overtime.
The win improved the Bulldogs to 7-7.
“Trevor’s toughness Friday night was exactly what we needed to pull off a tough league win on the road,” Ark City boys basketball head coach C.J. Jennings told Cowley Post. “We have played such a tough schedule this season and his scoring and leadership is sometimes looked over by other teams. However, our guys know how big he is to this team. They showed that on Friday night feeding him the ball so that he could get going offensively.”
Pierce, a 6’3” guard/forward, had just four points at halftime and added seven more in the third quarter before he took over the rest of the way. In crunch time in the fourth quarter and overtime periods, he was 10-of-10 at the free throw line, included the two shots at the charity stripe that tied the game in the closing seconds of regulation.
But it wasn’t just free throws in the fourth quarter and OT. He had six baskets from the field, including a huge 3-pointer.
In league play, Pierce is averaging 20 points and six rebounds per game, along with an assist, two steals and a block per contest. In the last four games, Pierce is averaging 23 points per game with seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
“When Trevor is scoring the ball and defending like he did on Friday we are a tough team to beat and he just keeps getting better and better,” Jennings said. “The fun part is watching the guys celebrate his accomplishment with him. I’ve watched his dunk on film a few times and the best part is the bench celebration.
“He’s not just a good basketball player he’s a great kid. I’m excited to see how recruiting picks up for him over the next few weeks.”
Sophomore Colin Fraizer, a 6’5” guard/forward, was also key for the Bulldogs late and scored seven of his 13 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Senior Gabe Welch was also in double-figures with 10 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Another senior, Cadon Clark, who has committed to play football for Southwestern College, tallied seven before also fouling out late.
“This group is full of great kids and having quality senior leadership makes our young guys compete at a high level right with them,” Jennings said.
Other area boys scores:
Winfield 47, Clearwater 35
No. 7 Wellington 51, Augusta 57
Other area girls scores:
Ark City 41, Goddard 44
Winfield 47, Clearwater 35
No. 3 Wellington 56, Augusta 22
