Junior Pirates knock off second-seeded Westside

GOSNELL -- The 7th seeded Gosnell Junior Pirates knocked off the 2nd seeded Westside Warriors in the 3-4A Junior High District Tournament, 45-41, Monday night at Gosnell Gym.

Gosnell held off a 20-point performance from Westside's Zac Preston to advance to the semifinal round against Osceola Thursday night who defeated Trumann.

Gosnell trailed, 12-10, after the first period and 20-15 with under three to play in the half before running off nine of the final 11 points of the second period. Dwight Griffin's three-pointer just before the halftime buzzer gave the Pirates a 24-22 lead heading into the break.

Gosnell led 29-25 heading into the fourth before Preston's three-pointer with 3:25 left in the game tied it at 33-33.

Terrance Anderson's free throws with 26 second left gave the Pirates a 43-38 lead and they held on the for the win.

Anderson led the Pirates with 12 points and Marcus McClain added nine.

Gosnell takes on Osceola at 7:15 p.m. Thursday night.

In other news from Monday night's action, Pocahontas defeated Valley View, 43-24. The Redskins will take on Brookland at 6 p.m. on Thursday night.

afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com