Pine Prairie slips in league action to Kinder High

By: LANCE REED
Sports Editor

The Pine Prairie basketball teams dropped a pair of games to the hoops teams of Kinder High School earlier in the week.
The ladies in black and orange battled the Lady Yellow Jackets with admirable gallantry. The contest began with senior Chelsey Rider setting the tone for her team. She helped her team on defense and offense as the local girls took a 7-2 lead after the first eight-minute block. The slow-paced period frustrated the home team.

Kinder found some ways to score in the second stanza. They scored eight points in the period. Pine Prairie didn’t turn the other cheek. The young ladies battled back and out-scored their opponents 11-8. Pine Prairie’s efforts and determination allowed them to take an 18-10 lead into the locker room at the midway point.

The second period belonged to the home team. Kinder battled back and cut into the PPHS lead. Despite the slow-paced period, the game moved on. Both teams suffered missed shots and turnovers. Kinder’s flip of the tables allowed them to face a smaller deficit, 23-19, as the final period began.

The final period was going to be a tough one on both teams. The Lady Panthers were determined not to allow the KHS girls to just walk away with a victory. Pine Prairie fought hard behind the leadership of their seniors. As the see-saw battle continued, the Lady Yellow Jackets slowly pulled out in front and held on to the lead. Missed shots continued to hurt the Lady Panthers. Kinder took advantage and moved out to a one-point lead with a few seconds left on the clock. At the buzzer, the Yellow Jackets had taken a one-point victory, 33-32.

Rider ended the game with 13 points to lead the PPHS ladies.

The boys of the two schools got it on in the second game of the night. The PPHS boys found themselves in a big fight early. Kinder out-scored them 13-5 in the opening frame. The Yellow Jackets managed to out shoot the boys in black and the orange in every period.

A shootout began in the second period. PPHS’ Corey Ardoin hit eight points in the frame and would end the game with 17 points. He later hit back-to-back three-point shots. His efforts helped the Panthers match the Yellow Jackets bucket for bucket in the second block. It was a proud effort by the PPHS boys after their slow first period. The Yellow Jackets took a 31-21 into the locker room at halftime.

Kinder continued to keep the lead and the momentum in the second half. The Yellow Jackets piled up another 13 points, while holding the Panthers to just seven points. In the final period, Kinder didn’t let up and went on to a 60-35 win.

Pine Prairie travels to Iota Tuesday night to continue league action.