Basketball Recap: Piner Comes Up Short

Piner was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their sixth straight defeat. They took a 41-29 hit to the loss column at the hands of the St. Vincent de Paul Mustangs. The Prospectors were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Mustangs apparently hadn't forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in January of 2024.

When it comes to explaining why Piner lost, don't look at Aaliyah Reece. Despite the final result, she dropped a double-double on ten points and 12 rebounds. Reece is becoming a predictor of Piner's success: when she posts at least eight rebounds the team is 3-1 (and 1-5 when she doesn't). Cambria Weerts was another key player, putting up five points along with five rebounds and three blocks.

Hailey Sarlatte was the offensive standout of the match as she posted seven points in addition to 13 boards and three steals. That's the most boards she has posted since back in December of 2023. The team also got some help courtesy of Andrea Hartmann, who had ten points and six boards.

Piner's defeat dropped their record down to 4-6. As for St. Vincent de Paul, their record is now 9-6.

Piner will head out to square off against Healdsburg at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Piner has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games. As for St. Vincent de Paul, they wasted no time getting back out on the court and have already played their next contest, a 53-24 loss against Sonoma Academy on the 13th.