The Pirates took on Summit Sierra last week on Tuesday in Seattle, playing the charter school at the Yesler Community Center.

From the jump, the Pirates were all over the Sierra team, scrambling on defense and forcing turnovers. The Pirates jumped out to a 17 – 0 lead and never looked back in this game as they finished off with the win, 56-10.

Senior Liv Larson led the team with 14 points, while Ella Wheeler finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. Coach Rob Kearns was pleased with the win, but also realized it was a good opportunity to limit minutes and play his whole bench.

Friday night the Pirates hosted their second home game against the Turks of Sultan. This was a great opportunity to play against a team the Pirates have battled with each season and is a solid program. The entire game was back and forth with neither team leading by more than six points throughout. With a full gym, the VHS pep band and lots of home energy, the Pirates were able to take a lead heading into halftime, 19-15. Coming out in the third quarter, the Pirates were composed with Wheeler leading the charge with her all-out energy and hustle plays. After three quarters the game remained 29-25, and it looked like it would be a battle all the way to the end. But the Pirates would not give the Turks any room to breathe, as they would score the first eight points of the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

The Pirates extended their man-to-man pressure defense full court and limited the Turks to only four points total in the fourth quarter, winning by the final score of 40-29. Wheeler led the Pirates with 13 points and 12 rebounds in playing the best game of her young season, making an impact both offensively and defensively, while senior Brynn Mueller finished second in scoring with 10 points.

Coach Kearns was very happy with the win.

“We played great man-to-man defense not letting Sultan get a ton of open looks,” he said. “I am really proud of the way the entire team played.”

The Pirates have opened the season with six wins and no losses for the first time in many years. Up next will be a Saturday home game at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, as the Pirates take on Klahowya. It would be great to see the community come out and show support for the undefeated Pirates for this next home game as they look to keep the streak going.

— Chris Koebelin is the parent of a Pirate basketball player.