Pirates end regular season beating Lee, falling to Richmond Model

​The Pirates have suffered through one of the roughest seasons anyone can remember. Or at least since the 2008-2009 campaign when they went 3-24. But at times they have shown some promise. Last week they ended the regular season splitting their last two games. Powell fought off a shortage of starters and a pesky Lee County team to win going away, 63-46. But then they took on Richmond Model last Friday and fell, 65-50.
Last Wednesday they played host to their district foes, the Lee County Bobcats, without a couple of starters in the tipoff lineup. It was a slow start as Powell held an 8-4 lead after one quarter. Both teams picked it up a bit in the second frame. Powell held a slight advantage late in the second, but a key shot by Lee’s Trenton Combs nailed a baseline jumper to make it 21-21. After the Pirates miss two free throws, Lee’s Zach Watterson nailed a tree pointer from center court at the halftime buzzer to make it a 24-21 Bobcat lead.
Lee grabbed a quick 27-25 lead early in the third before the Pirates went on a 9-0 run to make it 34-27 game. The Pirates began to push the lead out and when the fourth frame started the Pirates led 44-38.
Lee made another run and pulled it close at 46-42 at the halfway mark in the quarter. Powell then went on an 8-1 run, then pulled away to win it, 63-46.
Powell’s youth paid off on this night. Chandler Congleton got the start and made the most of it. Congleton poured in 22 points and grabbed 23 rebounds. Luke Pasley, Shayden Jones and Nikolai Wright each tossed in 10 points. Ethan Frazier chipped in six points. Preston Wasson added four points and Colin Barnes chipped in three points.
On Friday the Pirates traveled to Richmond to play in EKU’s McBrayer Arena against Model. Powell put up  good fight. But it was Model who pulled away and captured the win, 65-50. Luke Pasley and Chandler Congleton each tossed in 14 points. Chandler also grabbed 14 boards. Colby Cook added seven points, while Shayden Jones and Jace Ware each chipped in five points. Ethan Frazier and Colin Barnes each added a deuce, while Nikolai Wright hit a free throw.
Powell ended the regular season with a 6-20 record and will host the 56th District Tournament. The Pirates hold the number two seed and will play Owsley County in game two of the opening round on Tuesday. Estill will open the tournament with Lee at 6 p.m. that night.