Clay County Times-Democrat: High School Sports: Mohawks close out regular season (02/18/09)

Piggott's Daniel Baldwin makes an acrobatic layup in senior night action against Manila last Friday. (Times photo/Tim Blair)

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The Piggott Mohawks closed out their regular season last week, losing a heartbreaker on the road to Harrisburg on Tuesday; winning a decisive victory at Brookland on Thursday and squeaking-out a senior night win over the Manila Lions on Friday. The Tribe was scheduled to take on the Lions again Tuesday evening in the first round of the district tournament at Tuckerman.

Last Friday night's win over Manila at PHE also included a milestone, as Mohawk Rob Rice eclipsed the 1,000 point mark for his high school career. (see related story this page)

Coming off the long ice storm break the Mohawks visited Harrisburg last Tuesday night, and dropped a 46-49 decision. Rice led the Tribe in scoring with 12 on the night, Daniel Baldwin was also in double figures with 10 while Jonathan Wright and Tyler Grubb finished with nine each.

Last Thursday night the Mohawks visited Brookland and wrapped-up fifth in conference with a 72-53 victory over the Bearcats. Rice once again paced the Mohawks offensive attack with 19 points, Yates finished with 17 and Grubb was also in double figures with 12.

Friday night the Mohawks played the Manila Lions at PHS, with both homecoming and senior night observed. Prior to the game the Mohawks honored senior members Rob Rice, Jonathan Wright, Daniel Baldwin, Tyler Grubb and Sam Yates. The Mohawks then went out and notched a 58-53 win over the visitors.

The contest was a back-and-forth affair, as the Tribe was unable to put the pesky Lions away despite several runs. Rice led the attack with 26 points, with 22 of them coming in the first half. Baldwin had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Yates was also in double figures with 11.

With the victory the Mohawks extended their record to 11-10 overall, and 9-6 in 3A-3 conference play. This gave the Tribe a fifth place finish in conference, behind Earle, Hoxie, Corning and Rivercrest.

The Mohawks were set to take on the Lions again Tuesday evening at the conference tourney, and with a win would meet the Rivercrest Colts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Colts advanced with a 90-73 win over the host Tuckerman Bulldogs on Monday night. If the Mohawks can notch two wins in the conference tournament they 'll advance to next week's regional at Bergman.