Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Lady Devils Open Season With 4-0 Record

Go-Devil gym has not been a friendly place for visitors so far this young basketball season.

In fact, the Lady Devils have not tasted defeat yet, with their 4-0 record.

Friday night was no exception as the Lady Devils fried, baked and broiled the visiting Raiderettes from Sparkman 71-32.

The home team hammered the boards, jammed the inside and hit the jumper when necessary.

Gurdon's senior girls outscored Sparkman 18-10 in the first quarter and held a 38-21 halftime advantage.

The second half was no kinder to the Raiderettes as the Lady Devils heated up the nets with 15 in the third, while allowing Sparkman only five points. Gurdon added 18 in the fourth, giving up a scant six.

Gurdon was led by Tabitha Thomas' 31 points, which included two treys and five of six from the charity stripe.

Alicia Clayborn followed with 27 points in the contest, including a nine for 14 attack from the free throw line

The Raiderettes were led by D. Pigg's 11 points. B. Blevins contributed six in the loss.

The Lady Devils shot more than 50 percent from the line as they connected on 19 of 29 from the stripe. However, their counterparts had nothing but trouble sinking free throws as they went six for 27.

Gurdon's senior girls also pounded Ashdown's Lady Panthers 53-20 in their Nov. 14 game.

The contest was close for one period, with Ashdown holding a slender 6-4 advantage at the conclusion of the first eight minutes of play. Then the bottom fell out as the Lady Devils scorched the nets to take a 20-14 lead to the lockers during the intermission. Gurdon's gals added another 19 at the end of three, while its defense tightened the noose around the Lady Panthers allowing only two in the third. For all intents and purposes, the game was over except for the final score.

Thomas again led the Lady Devils, this time with 18 points, including three of five from the line. She was followed by Clayborn's 13, including a five of eight trip to the stripe.

Gulley led Ashdown with 12 points.

The Lady Devils went 12 of 20 from the free throw line, while Ashdown was 0-4 at the stripe.

Earlier in the season, the Lady Devils were played closer by their foes, the Outlaws of Dierks. However, the Gurdon squad, in the Nov. 9 contest, prevailed 58-45.

The two teams played even in the first quarter, going into the second tied 10-10. But the Lady Outlaws attempted to gun down the Gurdon quintet, as they took a 28-23 lead to the halftime break. The Lady Devils responded in the second half, putting 11 on the board in the third, as they cut the gap to 37-34.

Gurdon's gals owned the final eight minutes, outscoring Dierks 24-8.

Thomas continued to dominate offensively with 24 points. She was one of two at the line. Her counterpart, Clayborn, tossed in 16 points to help preserve the win. Wanda Cornish added eight.

Alexander paced the Lady Outlaws with 14, and was aided in her effort by Hill, who scored 10.

The Lady Devils were batting .500 from the line as they hit eight of 16. On the other hand, Dierks was cold, connecting on five of 13.

Thomas and Cornish both sank shots from long range.

Gurdon's opening game of the season was their closest to date as they dropped the Lady Red Devils of Lewisville 70-66.

The two squads battled evenly in the first period with Gurdon managing an 18-15 lead. The Lady Devils pulled to a 39-27 advantage at the half, but saw Lewisville fight back and cut the gap to 55-49 by the end of three.

Clayborn paved the way for the win with her 20 points in the contest. Thomas added 18. April Simpson was the third Lady Devil in double figures with an even dozen.

Davis led the Lewisville team with 20 points, while teammate Harvey added 16. Jones and Harper both had 10 in the loss.

The Lady Devils were chilly at the stripe as they connected on 12 of 27 free throws. However, they were matched by the Lewisville team's 12 of 23 effort.

Prior to the opening of the regular season, the Lady Devils posted wins in the Prescott Jamboree on Nov. 4. In their first outing, the Gurdon girls dropped Murfreesboro 25-16, while they handled Harmony Grove 29-19 in their other game.

The Lady Devils will be taking no time off for the holidays as they prepare for the ever-tough Southern Arkansas University Tournament in Magnolia Nov. 27. Their opening opponent in the tourney will be Fouke.