by Jamie Harris
The Paw Paw Pirates varsity basketball continued their hot start to the 2023- 2024 season with three more wins in the last two week. Heading into the Christmas break the Pirates are currently 5-1.
On December 13 the Pirates hosted Salisbury Elk Lick (Pa.) and rolled to a 66- 48 win. Salisbury Elk Lick jumped out to a 15-14 first quarter lead. In the second quarter Paw Paw rallied back with a 20-11 run to take a 34- 26 halftime lead. In the third quarter the Pirates continued their scoring to increase their lead to 46-39 after three. In the final quarter the Pirates put the game away by the final score of 66-48.
Paw Paw was led by Greyson Corbett (20 points), Conner Williams (18 points), RJ Ryan (13 points), Donnie Tanouye (10 points and 14 rebounds) and A yden Crab- tree (5 points),
On December 15 the Pi- rates traveled to Harman and picked up the 76-47 win. The Pirates started hot as they took a 20-7 first quarter lead. In the second quarter the Pirates increased their lead to 34-23 at the half. In the third quarter the Pirates continued their pressure and scoring to take a 61-39 lead at the end of the quarter. In the final quarter Paw Paw was able to secure the 76-47 win.
Donnie Tanouye had a monster game scoring 40 points for the Pirates in the win. Also scoring for Paw Paw were Taylor Carder (11 points), Conner Williams (7 points), Dre Heath (5 points), Greyson Corbett (4 points) and A yden Crabtree (2 points).
On December 19 the Pirates hit the road for a contest at Mountain View Christian Academy and picked up their fifth win of the season by the score of 63-32. Paw Paw was led once again by Donnie Tanouye (21 points), Conner Williams (16 points), Taylor Carder (14 points), Greyson Corbett (6 points) and Ayden Crabtree (6 points).
On December 21, the Pirates five game winning streak ended when the East Hardy Cougars visited Paw Paw and the Pirates an 86-49 setback. No stats are avail- able for this game.
Paw Paw (5-1) was back in action over the Christmas break when they play in two holiday mixers. On December 26 and 27 the Pirates played Clear Spring (Md.) and Mountain Ridge (Md.). On December 29 and 30 the Pirates played Salisbury Elk Lick and Turkeyfoot Area High Schools.