POMEROY–The Pirates are battling their way through the consolation bracket to hopefully capture the SE 1B District's third berth to the Spokane State Tournament after sustaining a bitter 49-38 loss to DeSales here last Saturday. The Buccaneers started District play with fireworks–a 59-55 double overtime barn burner.

The Bucs played Gar-Pal Wednesday, February 14 in Dayton (see http://www.eastwashingtonian.com or next week's edition). A win would pit them against the winner of the Sunnyside Christian-Liberty Christian contest, winner to State.

DeSales 49, Pomeroy 38

Pomeroy jumped to an 11-0 lead in the first quarter and promisingly finished ahead 11-3 after eight minutes.

"We played great defense and did a great job of getting the ball inside to Trace Roberts in the first quarter," said Coach Chris Wolf.

But Pomeroy committed too many turnovers in the second quarter and the Irish made up for their chilly first quarter to tie it at halftime.

The third quarter was brutal for Pomeroy at the charity stripe, the team making one of 11 attempts and falling behind by seven and the Irish outscoring the Pirates 17-10.

"We fought hard all game long but couldn't score consistently enough to win," Wolf said.

Ollie Severs led the way with 11 points and Cesar Morfin hit three treys for nine points. Trace Roberts had eight points and 12 rebounds.

Pomeroy 59, Liberty Christian 55

Trailing by 10 starting the fourth quarter, the Pirates chipped and picked away at the Liberty Christian Patriot's lead while closing down Patriot scoring threats, outscoring them 13-3 in the fourth quarter. Kyzer Herres tied it 44 all on a short baseline jumper, and the Pirates pulled away in the second overtime for the win.

In the first overtime, Ollie Severs took a Jett Slusser assist to the hoop with 11 seconds remaining to tie it 52-52 and the Patriots' hurried shot didn't go.

In the second OT, it seemed the Patriots had run out of gas. Slusser drained his seventh trey, followed by a Trace Roberts dish to Herres for a bucket and five points of welcome breathing room. Slusser was fouled with :31 on the clock, made both, and LC's Hunter Cole swished two free throws with 16 seconds remaining and the Pirates held on for the 59-55 double overtime win.

"This was a game we were fortunate to come out on the winning side," Wolf said. "We held them to three points in the fourth quarter and that is what really gave us a chance.

"We were a little over-excited for the game and we played without patience offensively for most of the second and third quarters," Wolf said. "It was definitely not our best performance of the season but the boys played hard and showed a lot of heart getting the win."

Pomeroy defense held LC scoreless for the final 4:12 of the regular game.

Pomeroy 38, Desales 49 (2/10)

Pom 11 5 10 12-38

DeS 3 13 17 16-49

-EW photo by Naomi Scoggin

Pirate Kyzer Herres (22), a 6-1 sophomore, scored just six points in Pomeroy's tense 59-55 double overtime win over Liberty Christian, but they came at crucial moments, said Coach Chris Wolf, a baseline jump shot at 2:03 in the fourth quarter which tied the score 44 all, and a bucket in the second overtime that helped seal the win.

Pomeroy (38) Slusser 2 0-0 6, Herres 0 1-6 1, Morfin 3 0-0 9, Schmidt 1 0-0 3, Severs 4 3-4 11, Roberts 4 0-4 8. Totals 14 4-14 38.

Desales S Green 4 4-5 15, C Green 1 2-4 5, Wood 1 0-0 2, Filan 3 1-2 8, Holtzinger 1 0-3 2, Balof 1 1-2 3, McCollaugh 5 3-5 14. Totals 16 11-21 49

Three-point goals: Pomeroy 6-Slusser 2, Morfin 3, Schmidt. Desales 6-S. Green 3, C. Green, Filan, McCollaugh.

Pomeroy 59 Liberty Christian 55 (2/8)

Pom 15 9 7 13 8 7-59

LC 13 19 9 3 8 3-55

Pomeroy (59) Slusser 10 2-2 29, Herres 3 0-0 6, Morfin 1 0-0 3, Severs 5 1-1 12, Roberts 4 0-2 9, Totals 23 3-5 59.

Liberty Christian (55) Haak 6 1-2 18, Williamson 1 0-0 3, Cowan 1 1-2 4, Hagaboam 2 4-5 8, Grover 4 0-0 9, Cole 5 2-2 13. Totals 19 8-9 55.

Three-point goals: Liberty Christian 9-Haak 5, Williamson, Cowan, Grover, Cole. Pomeroy 10-Slusser 7, Morfin, Severs, Roberts.