ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (Dec. 28, 2023) -- The Pirates earned a split in home-for-the-holidays tournament action Wednesday and Thursday. The home five lost to Orange in their Wednesday opener; they rebounded with a hard-fought 50-41 win over Marlington Thursday.

Playing as the host team in the Rocky River Holiday Classic, the Maroon & White came out six-day layoff with an off night in shooting the basketball against Orange. In the game's first half, the Pirates fell behind the Lions 25-11 while shooting just 15.4% from the floor. Rocky River rallied with a big third period, outscoring Orange 15-3. The Pirates may well have spent all their credit in that comeback. After tying the game at 32-32 in the fourth, they were outscored 11-5 the rest of the way.

A ball-hawking River defense helped the Pirates finish as a plus-6 in turnovers against the Lions. But Orange was a plus-9 in the rebounding department and outshot Rocky River 39% to 26%.

Ernie Pryor (20 points) and Dominic Anekwe (19P) combined for 39 of the Lions' 43 points. River got 10 points each from Jaden Charney, Julian Patti, and Michael Swallow. Patti also had eight rebounds in the game.

In Thursday's consolation affair against Marlington, the Pirates rode a better shooting performance and a big second half to the win over the Dukes. Rocky River (3-4) trailed early, caught the Marlington five in the third and overtook the Dukes for good with an 11-3 run to close out the contest.

The Double-R went just 5-of-25 from distance, but it shot 62.5% on 2-point looks. Behind Patti's 11 rebounds, River was a plus-9 on the boards. Danny Berg (15P) and Ryan Ricketti (11P) led the Buccaneer offense. Berg added three assists and three steals and was named to the event's all-tournament team.

The home tournament games marked the front half of a four-game stretch that has the Pirates playing exclusively in the 44116 area code. The Sons of Blackbeard will continue that home stand after the first of the year when they host Bay Jan. 5.


by Skip Snow

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