WP Falls In Riverside Rematch

WAITSBURG -- The WP Cardinals were defeated by the Riverside Pirates, 38-58, in a David-and-Goliath style battle at home last Friday night.

WP's Billy Brown started things off by out jumping his opponent for the opening tip off but the Pirates height soon became an issue for the Cardinals.

WP's Dustin Wooderchak drew a foul on a put back and got the Cards on the board with a free throw, but it would be nearly four minutes before the Cardinals lit the board again with a field goal from Justin Zuger.

The Pirates were quick to get themselves into foul trouble, but managed 15 first quarter points and two blocked shots.

The Cardinals' scoring struggle continued until Wooderchak hit a three pointer with 39 seconds left in the first and the Cards were down, 6-15, going into the second quarter.

Three-point baskets from Zuger and Dalton Estes sparked some momentum along with buckets from Zach Bartlow, Wooderchak and Brown. But it wasn't enough to close the gap and the Cardinals went into the locker room down, 20-32, at the half.

Brown started off the second half scoring with a bucket down low and Bartlow added two more with a put back, but the Pirates followed with four unanswered baskets for a 24-41 lead.

Brown's jump shot got him over the top of his defender for two and Eshom Estes put one back for two, but the Pirates maintained a 48-30 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Cardinals went neckand neck with the Pirates only outscoring them by two in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to overcome the first half deficit.