Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Jays Take Two Games To Begin Next Year

A strong third quarter allowed the Nevada BlueJays to evade Lewisville 52-44, Jan. 2, in the first of two wins to open the new year.

The Jays opened the game with a hot hand as they posted an 18-9 lead. However, they cooled off in the second eight minutes, thereby allowing the Red Devils to claw back into the contest. At the half, the score was 26-24 Lewisville.

But the Jays were resilient and poured in 17 points in the third period, while the defense stiffened, holding the Devils to seven.

As the game entered the final period, the Jays led 41-33. The two teams played even in the fourth quarter.

Tavoris Blakely netted three from long range in scoring 20 points to lead the Jays. He was followed by Eric Murphy's even dozen points.

The Jays were 50 percent from the stripe, netting eight of 16 shots.

Kevin Sasser paced the Devils with 13 points, while Darrell Smith contributed 12.

While the Devils were more efficient from the line, five of eight, they didn't go there often enough to make any difference.

Nevada's game against Fouke was relatively foul-free as neither team went to the stripe much. The Jays hit three of six shots, while the Panthers netted, six of 10 in losing 53-49.

Both teams opened fast, each canning 16 points in the initial eight minutes. However, the Panthers took a slight advantage in the second period as they outscored Nevada 17-14 and led 33-30 at the half.

The Jays were outscored 10-9 in the third period, but didn't let that stop them from whipping Fouke in the final period for the win. The Jays, trailing 43-39, stiffened on defense, while the offense remained fairly consistent.

Reginald Reed had the hot hand for the Jays as he ripped the cords for 17 points. Blakely was next in line with 11.

Cory Easley led all scorers in the contest with 20 for the Panthers.

The Jays continue play in the Southwest Arkansas Invitational Tournament this week, and have a date with Smackover scheduled for Jan. 16.