The Phoenix boys' basketball team rode the rollercoaster through the early stages of 2021-2022 season.

With Skyline Conference play drawing near, the Pirates have turned in a series of uneven results during the pre-season as they continue to search for consistency and an identity. Phoniex is 4-6 overall.

A trip to Brookings on December 30 was a prime example. The Pirates got off to a solid start in their first game in a week before fading in the second half of 62-48 loss to the host Bruins. Julius Bolstad scored a team-high 13 points while Robin Trenbeath and Jack Monroe added 10 each. Phoenix was outscored 34-24 in the second half and shot just seven free throws in the contest, compared to 28 for the home team.

The team's second win of the season over St. Mary's School was another example of the up-and-down play of the Pirates. Phoenix won the game 60-52 in overtime but only after giving up a nine-point halftime lead. Monroe's three-pointer in the closing seconds of regulation pushed the game into overtime where Phoenix outscored St. Mary's 60-52. Monroe had a team-high 12 points while Dylan Harper added 10.

PHS closed the calendar year with a solid all-around effort against a very good Ashland team. While the Pirates dropped a 71-42 decision to the visiting Grizzlies on New  Year's Eve, the team's effort throughout the game gave coach Troy McNichols reason to smile (under his mask). Phoenix trailed 24-6 after one quarter as Ashland's size and strength was formidable. PHS countered with a  strong run over the second and third quarters as Ashland held only a 32-30 edge in scoring before pulling away in the final quarter. Isiah Ayala-Talbott scored a team-high 12 points to lead Phoenix, which got nine points from Harper and eight from Monroe.

The Pirates return to action on January 7-8 when they will take part in the Skyline-SkyEm Crossover Event at North Valley and Hidden Valley.