2008-2009 Sophomore

Game Summaries

Game 9 December 31, 2008

Site – Parkway West High School

Parkway Holiday Tournament

Kirkwood – 11-11-14-17 = 53

Webster Groves 14-17-6-12 = 49

On December 31^st, the Kirkwood Pioneers JV boy’s basketball team did battle with Webster Groves Statesmen. This was the 3^rd contest of the season between Kirkwood – Webster a rarity in JV basketball. The game opened less than stellar for Kirkwood. Webster grabbed an early lead on the back of strong rebounding. Ben Crancer and Justin Hilton kept Kirkwood close however, with 5 and 4 points, respectfully, in the quarter. The team was down 3 after 1.

The second quarter went poorly for the Wood. Turnovers by Kirkwood led to easy baskets for the Statesmen. Kirkwood went a dismal 4-10 from the free throw line in the quarter as the Statesmen raced to a 31-22 lead at halftime.

The Pioneers collected their composure in the 3^rd. Kirkwood got back to basics with an excellent defensive quarter. As a result of the pressure Kirkwood forced several turnovers in the quarter. This led to several easy baskets in the quarter. Stefan Moore led the way with 6 points in the quarter.

In the 4^th quarter of the Consolation game Kirkwood showed who wanted the game more. Ben Crancer stepped up big time with 7 points in the quarter. Stefan added 6, including some clutch late game free throws. Kirkwood defended well enough in the quarter to secure a 53-49 victory against Webster. The win extended the record of the JV team to 7-2. Ben Crancer led offensive effort with 17 points, followed closely by Stefan Moore with 14.

Kirkwood will be back in action Monday, January 5, at Fox. It is a 5:30 game. Come out and support the Kirkwood Pioneers.

Game 8 December 30, 2008

Site – Parkway West High School

Parkway Holiday Tournament

Kirkwood- 5-11-12-9 = 37

Parkway Central 8-6-8-13 = 35

On December 30, 2008 the Kirkwood Pioneers went back to play the Parkway Central Colt’s in the consolation side of the tournament’s bracket. The game started unusually slow for Kirkwood as the Pioneers only scored 5 points in the first quarter. The Kirkwood full court pressure, however, kept them in the contest. The Colt’s had a tenuous 3 point lead after one quarter.

Charlie Warden stepped up for Kirkwood in the second quarter. He knocked down 3 2’s and played solid defense. The team’s ball pressure proved successful in the quarter, as the Colt’;s could only muster a meager 5 points. Mike Toigo knocked a 3 down in the stanza. All told, Kirkwood turned a 3 point deficit into a narrow 2 point lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Wood continued to build some momentum. Kirkwood had no less than 4 players score in the quarter, Ben Crancer, Mike Toigo, Stefan Moore, and Connor Jacobs. This broad attack coupled with tough defense, enhanced the lead to 6 points after 3.

In the 4^th quarter, the Colt’s stayed close. Stefan Moore had 7 big points in the quarter to help keep the Wood narrowly ahead. Also, Mike Toigo made 2 clutch free throws. However, the Wood missed 3 free throws in the quarter to keep Central in the contest. In the end, Kirkwood’s defense helped prevail in a 37-35 victory for Kirkwood. Stefan led the Kirkwood offensive effort with 11 points. Charlie Warden added 8. The win stretched the Wood’s record to a solid 6-2.

Game 7 December 29, 2008

Site – Parkway West High School

Parkway Holiday Tournament

Kirkwood 13-9-13-4 = 39

Parkway North 17-15-9-13=54

On Monday, December 29^th, the Pioneers went to Parkway West for the first round of the Holiday Parkway tournament. Kirkwood got off to a slow start as Parkway North climbed to an early 4 point first quarter lead. Stefan Moore was a bright spot in the quarter as he knocked down 2 3’s and 2 free throws for an 8-point quarter.

The Pioneers continued attempted to put maximum ball pressure on Parkway North. However, North crashing the offensive boards coupled with some mental mistakes by Kirkwood, led to a 10 point half time Parkway North lead.

True to form, the Kirkwood Pioneers were not ready to quit. Stefan Moore drove to the bucket for an easy 2 early in the quarter. He continued to drive the ball very well in the quarter knocking down 11 points in the third quarter. Justin Hilton added 2, and the Wood found themselves in a 6 point game after 3 periods.

In the 4^th quarter, Kirkwood did not have a sufficient answer to Parkway North’s excellent post play. This post play led to several easy baskets as North raced to a 54-39 victory. Stefan led the Kirkwood scorers with 22 points. After the loss the JV Pioneers record stood at 5-2.

Game 6 December 19, 2008

Site – Kirkwood High School

Kirkwood – 8-11-16-14 = 49

Webster - 13-18-10-18 = 59

On Friday, December 19^th the Kirkwood Pioneers hosted the Webster Groves Statesmen. The Statesmen were looking to revenge their earlier season loss to the Neers. The game started off slow for Kirkwood as the Statesmen seized an early lead. In spite of excellent first quarter guard play by Stefan Moore, who had 7 points in the quarter, the Pioneers fell behind by 5.

In the second quarter, Webster kept intense ball pressure on the Pioneers. Webster also was able to convert on the offensive side of the floor, as Webster stretched their lead to 12 points at half time. During the quarter the Pioneers went 8-14 from the free throw line. Justin Hilton added a 3 during the stanza, for a total of 5 of the Pioneers 11 points. The score was 31-19 as the Pioneers went into the locker room.

Kirkwood played with heart and hustle in the third quarter. Mike Toigo showed poise as he knocked down 2 3’s in the quarter en route to a 8 point quarter. Juju Marable added 2, as did Stefan Moore and Connor Jacobs. The deficit was cut in half to just 6 points after 3.

Though the Pioneers continued to battle the Statesmen in the 4^th quarter, victory was out to be out of reach. Kirkwood got into foul trouble, and Webster knocked down 11 free throws in the 4^th. Justin Hilton had a good quarter with 5 points, and Ben Crancer went 4-4 from the line in the quarter. The final bell sounded with Webster on top 59-49. Stefan Moore had 12 points in the game. He was closely followed by Justin Hilton with 11 and Mike Toigo with 10.

Plan to see the JV Pioneer team at home Wednesday, January 7^th against Pattonville.

Game 5 December 9, 2008

Site – Summit High School

Kirkwood 70, Summit 47

On Tuesday December 09 the JV boys’ Pioneers were on the road playing the Summit Falcons. The Pioneers came out of the game uncharacteristically flat. The Falcons stormed to a 13-0 lead by the middle of the first of the quarter. After a Kirkwood timeout the Wood began to right the ship.

Ben Crancer hit 2 3’s late in the quarter. Quincy Sharp added 2 and Charlie Warden made 2 free throws. After 1 the Pioneers trailed 13-10.

In the second quarter Kirkwood kept up the pressure. The Wood forced several turnover’s in the quarter off of their withering pressure. Stefan Moore also did a good job getting to the basket, converting on 4 2 pointers shots and making 2 free throws in the quarter. Mike Toigo got fouled several times going to the basket and went a perfect 8 for 8 from the line in the quarter. The Pioneers went to the locker room with a 32-25 lead.

In the third quarter the full court defensive pressure continued. The Pioneers did a better job in the half court as Ben Crancer knocked 2 3’s in the quarter. Quincy Sharp added a bucket and free throw in the quarter and Pioneers extended their lead to 48-35 after 3 quarters.

The Pioneers turned in an impressive performance in the 4^th quarter. Stefan Moore had a 3 early in the quarter. As the pressure continued on the Falcons, Kirkwood continued to get turnovers. Stefan converted on a turnover in the middle of the quarter and drove to the hoop for and easy 2. Lavata Berry had a solid quarter with 6 points off of drives toward the basket. At the final bell the Pioneers found themselves on the winning end of a 70-47 victory. The win extended their record to 5-0 on the season. Stefan Moore led all scorers with 19 points. Mike Toigo chipped in 13.

The JV Pioneers are at home on December, 19^th as they swing back into action against the Statesmen of Webster Groves in a 5:30 game.

Game 4 December 6, 2008

Site – Columbia College

Kirkwood 39, Columbia Hickman 36

On Saturday December, 06 the Kirkwood Pioneer Boys traveled to Columbia for the privilege of playing in the Norm Stewart Classic Coaches for Cancer Shootout.

The Pioneers took an early lead on the strength of good defensive pressure. Stefan Moore drove to the basket for a 2 and Charlie Warden added a 3 in the quarter for a 9-8 first quarter lead. Charlie added a second 3 in the second and Quincy Sharp, Justin Hilton and Juju Marable all added a basket in the quarter as the Pioneers took a 3 point halftime lead.

The third quarter was a battle, with the Pioneers keeping a narrow lead. The Neers' did not shoot well in the quarter scoring only 8 points. However, the defensive pressure allowed Kirkwood to maintain a narrow 3 point lead. Ben Crancer made a 3 in the quarter and Montrell Jones, and Justin Hilton kicked in 2.

In the 4^th quarter Columbia cut the lead to 1. At this point Stefan got busy once again. Not only did he knock down a 3, he also drove successfully put the ball on the floor for 3 additional baskets. Mike Toigo also knocked down 2 free throws and secured an important rebound at a key moment. Mike had several important steals in the game to help keep maintain Kirkwood’s narrow lead.

The Wood extended the lead to 5 late in the game. Hickman made a late basket, however the die had been cast. Kirkwood won 39-36. Stefan led the Pioneers with 11 points. Justin and Charlie added 6 and Ben Crancer chipped in 5.

The 4-0 Pioneers will be back in action against Summit on Tuesday, December 9.

Game 3 December 5, 2008

Site – Lindbergh High School

Kirkwood 54, Lindbergh 29

On Friday, December 5^th 2008 the Kirkwood JV boys’ played their final game in the Lindbergh round robin tournament. Kirkwood came out strong building an early lead over Lindbergh. Quincy Sharp got to work in the post for an early 2. Ben Crancer made a steal and followed it up with an easy basket. The Pioneers led by 6 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Pioneers continued their defensive pressure. Juju Marable, playing tough defense was able to convert a basket off of a steal. Mike Toigo had a hot hand in the quarter making 2 3’s and a 2 for a total of 8 points in the quarter. The Pioneers went to the locker room with a 24-14 lead.

In the third quarter the defensive effort was outstanding. The Neers held Lindbergh to only 2 points in the quarter. Kirkwood was able to convert on the offensive side of the court. Ben Crancer had the hot hand in the third with 8 points. The lead extended to a 41-16 lead after 3. The Pioneers let up on the gas late in the game. The game was well in hand, however, as the Pioneers coasted to a 54-29 win. Ben Crancer led all scorers with 16 points. Mike Toigo added 9 and Lavata Berry chipped in 7, scoring in every quarter.

The JV Pioneers were the champion of the tournament turning in an impressive 3-0 performance by beating Fox, Webster, and Lindbergh.

Come out and watch the Pioneers in action in their first home game on Friday, December 19^th in a rematch with Webster.

Game 2 December 2, 2008

Site – Lindbergh High School

Kirkwood 55, Webster Groves 52

On Wednesday December 3^rd the Kirkwood Pioneers took on the Webster Statesmen at the Lindbergh tournament. The Pioneers were expecting a tough game from the opening buzzer and Webster held their end of the bargain. Kirkwood started the game with full court pressure, however, Webster was able to break through early in the game, knock down a 3 and 3 free throws in the quarter. Stefan Moore had an excellent quarter for Kirkwood and kept the game close with a couple of easy baskets off of drives to the hoop. Kirkwood trailed 14-11 after the first quarter.

The second quarter belonged to Kirkwood. The relentless full court pressure led to easy baskets. It also frustrated Webster and took them out of their game. This allowed some easy baskets. The pressure also caused some fouls by Kirkwood. The Wood took advantage of this, as Stefan Moore made 5 free throws in the quarter. The Neers went to the locker room ahead 30-20.

Webster refused to quit and found there shooting touch in the 3^rd. Webster made 3 3’s in the quarter. The Kirkwood defensive pressure led to several steals in the quarter however. Again, Stefan was able to capitalize on this with 4 points in the quarter. Ben Crancer, Quincy Sharp, Andy Robbins and Justin Hilton all added 2 in the quarter to keep the Pioneers close. Webster led by 1 at the end of 3 43-42.

In the 4^th quarter Kirkwood showed the crowd assembled at Lindbergh how bad they wanted to win the game. Continuing to pressure the ball led to some turnovers from Webster. Kirkwood retook the lead in the quarter. Stefan had 6 points in the quarter leading all scorers with 22. Justin added 8 in a 55-52 win over Webster. The Pioneers extended their record to 2-0.

Kirkwood’s JV plays again Friday December, 5^th at 7:00 at Lindbergh against Lindbergh

Game 1 December 1, 2008

Site – Lindbergh High School

Kirkwood 54, Fox 21

On Monday December 1^st the JV boy’s opened their season against the Fox Warriors in the Lindbergh tournament. The Wood brought their A defensive game early in the contest. The defensive pressure allowed for some easy baskets on the offensive side of the floor. Justin Hilton led the Pioneers with 6 points in the quarter as Kirkwood opened up a 14-2 lead after the 1^st quarter. The second quarter brought more of the same as Charlie Warden knocked down a 3 in the quarter. Mike Toigo got a couple of baskets in the quarter as the Pioneers headed to the locker room up 32-11.

In the 3^rd quarter Stefan Moore went into high gear. Scoring 3 times in the quarter off of hard drives to the basket. The defensive pressure continued to pay off as the Pioneers held Fox to just 5 points in the quarter. Ben Crancer added a 3 in the quarter as the Pioneers took a 45-16 lead after 3. The Pioneers coasted to victory as Juju Marable who had a very good defensive game added 3 points in the quarter. Stefan also continued to attack the basket. Stefan led all scorers with 14 points. Ben chipped in 8 and Justin contributed 7 in a 54-21 win over Fox. The Pioneers were happy with their 1-0 start as the team headed to the locker room.