Pollard's 15, Pollack's Double-Double Lead Pirates To State Fair Classic Sweep 

By JAY HENRY

November 17, 2018 

SEDALIA, Mo. - Following a huge upset victory on day one, the Independence Pirates returned to the State Fair Classic for day two against the State Fair Roadrunners looking to continue their progression on the season. The Pirates and Roadrunners went back and forth through much of the game, but a single free throw in the closing seconds lifted Independence to a victory, 62-61. 

The Pirates had four players in double figures with Anquaevious Pollard  scoring 15 points, Sean Pollack who had another double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, Tyreece Berry with 12 points and Ricky Edwards with 11 points. 

"We got the lead early, got relaxed and our bench didn't perform how we wanted to, but I'm very proud of how we kept it together to come out with a win," coach Tony Turner said. "Anquaevious Pollard and Sean Pollack played very well and took care of business down low when we needed them for the win."  

"The next game, we play Tonkawa and they're a very good. Two guys signed with division 1 schools, so we'll have to come out ready to play." 

In the first half, the Pirates won the tip and attacked the rim with Tyreece Berry who was fouled and made two shots for the early lead. State Fair answered with two free throws after a foul to tie the game at 2-2. 

Independence regained the lead with a bank shot from Jibril Harris and extended to a 7-2 lead after a three-point shot from Berry at the 17:47 mark. A layup from Harris made the score 9-2 for the Pirates and a three from Ricky Edwards pushed the lead out to 10 points. 

Several free throws for the Pirates and three buckets from Anquaevious Pollard kept Independence in the lead, but a 15-10 run for State Fair had the Roadrunners within five points at 22-17 at the 8:45 mark. State Fair went on a 5-2 and got within four after a layup from Maurice Murray and free throws from Mike Stone and then tied the game at 24-24 at the 6:05 mark after a breakaway layup by Murray. 

"The win tonight feels good, but we have to continue to listen to our coaches, get better and stay focused throughout the year," said Pollard. 

Independence regained the lead at 26-24 after free throws from Berry, but not for long as a long jumper by Murray gave the Roadrunners a 27-26 lead. Murray torched the net again, but Pollard answered with a layup making the score 30-28 at the 2:55 mark. Free throws kept the score close, but after three points from both teams State Fair led 33-31 at the half. 

In the second half, the Pirates got within one after a free throw from Sean Pollack, but a three-pointer from Murray had the Roadrunners leading 36-32 with 18:00 remaining. Tonje Durham banked a shot in to cut the lead to two and State Fair pushed the lead to three after a free throw. 

The Pirates were back within two after a tip in from Pollack at 39-37, but Malcolm Townsel made a layup pushing the lead to four with 12:30 remaining. A long-range jumper from Edwards was answered by a layup from Townsel making it 43-40, but a jumper from Pollack had Independence within one with 11:10 remaining. 

"The feel tonight is good, even though I came out slow in the first half," said Pollack. I'll just continue to trust my teammates and the process this year. The next game, we'll go back to practice and prepare for Tonkawa and prepare for another great game." 

Another bucket by Townsel followed by a free throw pushed the score to 46-42 for State Fair, but once again Pollack answered with a jumper and a three-pointer by Edwards gave the Pirates the lead at 47-46 with 10:17 left to play. 

Pollack delivered down low with a layup to push the lead to 49-46 for Independence and a pair of free throws took the lead to one, but a floater by Berry made the score 51-48. Pollack answered a State Fair layup with one of his own, but on the other end L.J. Bryan made a free throw and foul shot to tie the game at 53-53 with 6:00 left to play. 

A 3-0 run gave the Roadrunners a 56-53 lead, but a shot down low by Pollard brought the Pirates back within one. After two free throws a layup by Pollack made the score 58-57 and in transition Pollack made a quick layup for a one-point advantage with 1:20 left to play.  

Pollard pushed the Pirates' lead out to three, but a three-pointer from Murray tied the contest yet again at 61-61 with 23 seconds left. Pollack made one free throw in the final seconds that decided the game and the Pirates walked away with a sweep in the State Fair Classic. 

Independence (5-3) returns to ICC Field House Tuesday November 20 against the Tonkawa Mavericks with an 8 pm tipoff.