POMEROY–The Dayton-Waitsburg Wolfpack and Pomeroy Pirates were neck-and-neck throughout the entire game until the breaks fell DW's way in the final minutes and they walked away with a 55-44 non-league win here December 29.

It was the third consecutive win for Dayton-Waitsburg, which now holds a 3-3 overall record, 0-1 in league with its 41-40 loss to Tri-Cities Prep on December 13.

This Friday, River View visits for the first game of 2023 and the resumption of the league schedule in the Dayton gym. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Wolfpack heads to College Place to take on Walla Walla Valley Academy in another league matchup. Warden visits Dayton Tuesday, January 10 for further league competition.

The outcome of the Pomeroy game was never certain until the final buzzer blared.

Dayton-Waitsburg blew ahead 10-2 in the first four minutes of the first quarter, but Pirates Trevin Kimble and Ollie Severs put together a 7-0 run to get the Pirates back into the game. Wolfpack's Spencer Hansen, who would finish with a game-high 25 points, buried a trey in the final seconds for DW to lead 15-11 after one period.

In the second quarter, DW's Gage Holm sank two free throws to jump to a six-point lead but Pomeroy's Brady Bott hit a two, a three and a free throw to carve away the Wolfpack lead to 18-17.

Hansen hit another of his five three pointers in the game, answered by Pirate Severs with a pair of free throws. Monte Pettichord scored to make it 23-19, but Severs sunk a pair of gifters for a two-point margin as the quarter wound down. Kimble drained a trey to give the Pirates their first lead of the game, 24-23, with :39 remaining in the half, but DW's Ruben Yutze scored to give the Wolfpack a 25-24 half time lead.

Through the third quarter, both teams were neck-and-neck, trading baskets and staying within a few points, Severs hitting back-to-back buckets for a 34-33 Pomeroy lead with 1:25 on the clock. But in the waning seconds, DW's Pettichord swished one for a 35-34 Wolfpack lead after three quarters.

Pomeroy's Kimble opened the final stanza with a bucket for a one-point Pirate lead, 36-35, which would turn out to be Pomeroy's final moment in front. Pettichord answered and DW took a three-point lead, 39-36, on a Hansen bucket. Brodie Magill scored, answered by another Hansen trey for a 42-38 score.

DW's Blake French made it a six-point game, and Severs' next shot caromed out, rebounded by DW. French missed his shot and Jett Slusser pulled down the rebound. DW's Wyaitt Booth stole the ball and DW set up another three try by Hansen for a nine-point lead, 47-38.

Kimble finally broke the ice for the Pirates, but French replied, followed by a Severs bucket making it a seven-point difference, 49-42. Severs hit again seconds later, cutting the deficit to five, 49-44.

In the end game, Pomeroy's scoring went cold. DW's Hansen chipped in a free throw at 1:14 and DW rebounded, prompting a Pirate foul. Hansen sank another free throw for a seven-point DW lead, 51-44.

At a minute to play, Severs' trey attempt banged out, with DW rebounding. Slusser fouled and Hansen made both free throws, 53-44 with a half minute to go.

Hansen stole the ball from Pomeroy and DW's Gage Holm was fouled, and sinking both, the final was 55-44.

Dayton-Waitsburg 55, Pomeroy 44 (12/29)

DW 15 10 10 20-55

Pom 11 13 10 10-44

Dayton-Waitsburg (55) S. Hanson 25, Gage Holm 10, Monte Pettichord 14, Ruben Yutzy 2, Blake French 4. FG(2)-15/27-56%. FG(3)-5/15-33%. Free throws-20/42-48%.

Pomeroy (44) Braedon Fruh 2, Ollie Severs 19, Brady Bott 6, Jett Slusser 4, Trevin Kimble 10, Trace Roberts 3. FG(2)-15/27-56%. FG(3)-2/11-18%. Free throws: 17.38-45%.

3-point goals - Dayton-Waitsburg 5, Hanson 5. Pomeroy 2, Bott, Jett Slusser.