Short-handed Tribe splits conference games

The short-handed Piggott Mohawks split conference games in the past week, getting drubbed by the Hoxie Mustangs last Tuesday on the road and then posting a home win over Brookland on Monday. Tuesday night they were scheduled to visit the Corning Bobcats as the conference schedule continues.

Following the recent Christmas break, and the subsequent second-half meltdown against the Rector Cougars in the NEA tournament, coach Josh Robins dismissed five members from the team and another player decided to quit. The group that was kicked-off the team included seniors Justin Howell and Kenneth Blair, along with underclassmen Mark Greaney, Derek Hall and Brandon Hill. Senior Wes Wood also chose to leave the team due to personnel reasons.

That left the Mohawks with their usual five starters, Rob Rice, Sam Yates, Daniel Baldwin, Tyler Grubb and Jonathan Wright and underclassmen Trent Edwards, Jon Perkins and Tanner Murray on the bench.

Last Tuesday the lack of bench depth killed any chances the Mohawks may have had, as they visited Hoxie and had three starters foul-out as they dropped a 59-80 loss to the Mustangs. In fact, as the game ended with Rice, Yates and Baldwin on the bench there were Mohawks playing with four fouls and no subs left to call upon.

Rice led the Tribe on the game with 21, while Yates finished with 12, before they fouled-out. Pacing the way for the Mustangs was Morgan Puckett with 24 points as Hoxie remained unbeaten in conference.

Mohawks vs Brookland

Quoting a former Mohawk basketball standout, who will remain un-identified, Monday night's win over the Brookland Bearcats at PHS was just downright "ugly." The contest, the fourth game of the night, was a tight affair through the first three quarters but the Mohawks pulled-away down the stretch to notch a 68-49 win. Helping the Piggott cause was a raft of fouls, both personnel and technical, on the Bearcats which resulted in two of their key starters fouling-out.

As the contest got underway the Mohawks went on an early run, but Brookland answered and the game was tied 15-15 at the end of the first quarter. During the second quarter the two teams continued to swap buckets, and the visitors enjoyed a 26-24 lead at the halftime break.

But in the third and fourth quarters, with two of the Bearcat starters sitting with foul trouble, the Mohawks pulled away for the 19 point win.

Pacing the Tribe attack was Rice with 26 points, while Baldwin finished with 14 and Tyler Grubb was also in double figures with 11. The Mohawks also won the battle in the paint, as Grubb pulled down a total of 15 rebounds and Baldwin finished with 10 boards as they both posted double-doubles. Cody Edgar had 14 points for the Bearcats in the loss, while Justy Moore had 12.

With the loss to Hoxie and the win over Brookland, the Mohawks extend their seson record to 5-7 overall and 3-3 in conference play. Tuesday night they were scheduled to visit the Corning Bobcats in conference play, and Friday night they'll visit the Manila Lions.

Only time will tell what impact the player cuts will have on the Mohawks, as they look forward to a rigorous conference schedule with a short bench and a history of foul trouble.