PORUM — The Gore Pirates finished third at the 2026 Cross Telephone Invitational Tournament, and they didn’t even have to suit out to play for it.

Due to “travel issues,” the Strother Yellowjackets, who were to be the third-place game opponent for the Pirates Jan. 23, could not return to Porum, so the thirdplace games on both sides of the bracket ended up being canceled. Thus, the Pirates (11-6) beat the ‘Jackets by forfeit to win third place.

The Lady Pirates lost 36-32 in overtime to the Gans Lady Grizzlies in the consolation title game on Jan. 23.

In the girls’ consolation title game, the Lady Pirates (8-7) used an 11-3 fourth quarter to get the game tied at 29all at the end of regulation to force overtime, but in the extra session the Lady Grizzlies outscored them 7-3 to get the win.

In defeat, Emily Daily scored a game-high 19 points to lead Gore, followed by Kennedy Williams with four points, Kylie “K.J.” McEver with three points and River Shoemake and Gracie Bruce with two points apiece.

Mother Nature was the big winner over Gore’s basketball teams last week as all games got snowed out — the Riverside Conference home games against Gans on Jan. 27 and last Thursday night’s home games against Panama.

To make up the conference home games with Gans, which were slated to be rescheduled for last Saturday night at Gore Event Center, the Gore road games last Saturday afternoon at Stuart were canceled.

The Panama home games were postponed until 6 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Gore Event Center.

Editor’s Note: Look for the details on the Gans games in next week’s edition.