HUNTER COOKSTON
Writer
The South Pittsburg Pirates defeated Whitwell easily last Tuesday night to advance to the Region Championship against Van Buren County. It marked the fourth matchup between the two teams this season. The Pirates went on to win the game 47–44.
The first quarter started well for both offenses, as the two teams combined for 30 points. Junior Brandon Goldsmith scored 10 of South Pittsburg’s first 14 points. Nicoli Burton and JR Hardrick each added a basket to round out the scoring.
The second period was not as productive for either team. The Pirates scored five points while Van Buren County managed just four. Dayon Cooper knocked down a triple, and Shannon Pendergrass added two points. At halftime, South Pittsburg trailed by one point.
In the third quarter, Goldsmith came out attacking just as he did in the opening period. The junior added seven more points to his total, while Hardrick contributed six of his own. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Pirates still trailed.
Burton helped his team overcome the deficit in the final quarter, scoring nine points in the period. Goldsmith and Hardrick each added three points in the closing minutes.
The win allowed South Pittsburg to host Sub-State on Monday night for the first time in 40 years. Unfortunately, the Pirates fell short in their quest to reach the State Tournament.
Despite the loss, the team has nothing to hang its head about. The Pirates finished the season as regular-season District Champions, District Tournament Champions, and Region Tournament Champions. South Pittsburg ended the season with a 21–9 record.