Between two games at the Belle tournament and two regular-season games, the Pirates had a tough week, but managed to split the two regular games and finish third at the tournament (a separate story appears in this week’s paper).

In Friday’s game against Capital City, the Pirates came out playing pretty well offensively, and staked to a 17-8 lead after the first quarter.

“We let them cut our lead to five going into halftime,” said Coach Klayton Kuschel. “We couldn’t score as easily, and they were getting easier looks in transition against us. In the third quarter, we found ourselves only up by one. At that point, we were losing some of our momentum. In the fourth quarter, they took the lead by two.”

Chamois hit a three-pointer to take the lead back, but failed to make free throws at the end of the game. The Pirates were only leading by one, and Capital City heaved a last-second shot at the buzzer that was too close for comfort, but the shot missed, and Chamois held on for the win.

“It was a really good win for our guys,” said Kuschel. “It was new for us playing a bigger school, and we were short a couple of players. Our younger players really stepped up during this game, and that helped us tremendously.”

Nate Nolte led with 19 points and grabbed four rebounds while recording one assist. Eli Deppe added 14 points, five rebounds, two steals and a block, followed by Richard Schaperclaus (6 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal), Mason Lamb (5 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal), Dawson Haslag (2 points, 2 assists), and Caine Schaben (1 rebound, 2 steals).

The JV squad played half a game that went into overtime, with the Pirates losing at the buzzer on a three-pointer, 25-24.

“Our guys held up really well against their larger players, and this was one of the best games our JV has played this season,” said Kuschel.

The Pirates were trailing after the first quarter, 13-8, but played solid defense, and made free throws to get back into the game. Tied at 18-18, the game went into overtime.

Chamois built a lead by going 4-6 from the free throw line, for a two-point lead before Capital City came down and hit the buzzer-beater to win.

The team was led by Caine Schaben (9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists), followed by Zain Slusser (7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal) Mason Lamb (4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal), Tyler Brandt (4 points, 2 rebounds) and Ethan Halbert (1 rebound, 1 steal).

Last Monday, the Pirates lost to St. Elizabeth at home, 68-47. “Going into the game, we knew it would take our best effort to beat them,” said Kuschel. “We played really well in the first half, and only found ourselves trailing by six. To start the third quarter, they amped up their pressure, and it began to wear on us. Our inability to handle their pressure allowed them to build a bigger lead that we were unable to overcome.”

Nolte led with 17 points, to go with three rebounds, one assist and a steal, followed by Brandon Dodson (13 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal), Deppe (8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal), Warren (6 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 2 steals), and Richard Schaperclaus (3 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal).