by Jamie Harris
The Paw Paw Pirates Boys’ Basketball Team continued their impressive 2017-2018 basketball campaign. The Pirates opened up the Class A Sectional Championships by hosting Harman last Tuesday, February 27.
The Pirates racked up nine points in the first quarter and 18 more in the second quarter. From there the Pirates scored a whopping 61 more points in the second half and cruised past the visiting Harman team 88-57 to record a playoff win.
Landon Ridgeway led the Pirates with a game high 32 points while Christian Braithwaite added 28 points and 11 rebounds. Matt Kidwell added 12 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.
The Pirates hosted rival Moorefield in the sectional semifinals on Thursday, March 1.
Paw Paw jumped out to a 19-10 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter the Pirates tacked onto 17 more points to give them a 36-33 halftime lead.
The second half continued to be big for the Pirates as they outscored the Yellow Jackets 36-27 to record their second straight playoff win by the score of 72-61.
Paw Paw was led by Landon Ridgeway who scored 28 points. Braithwaite added 16 points while Dylan Moreland added 16 points and added seven points to pace the Pirates.
The Pirates traveled to Petersburg to face Tucker County for the Class A Region II Section 1 Championship on Saturday, March 3. The Pirates had already punched their ticket to the regional playoffs, but were hoping to keep their exciting season rolling with a sectional title.
Paw Paw jumped out to an 11-10 first quarter lead as Braithwaite scored nine first quarter points. However the second quarter belonged to Tucker County as the Mountain Lions roared back to grab a 25-18 halftime lead.
In the third quarter the Pirates tried to battle back, but Tucker maintained a 47-35 lead.
In the fourth quarter Paw Paw kept chipping away at the Mountain Lion lead, but eventually fell 60-52.
Paw Paw was led by Braithwaite who scored 24 points. Landon Ridgeway added 17 points, while Kidwell (four points), Moreland (four points) and Coby Ridgeway (three points) helped pace the Pirates.
Paw Paw will be back in action today, Wednesday, March 7 when they travel to Notre Dame for the Class A Region II Championship contest. Tip off will be at 7 p.m.