Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Go-Devils Fall In Tournament

Gurdon's senior boys have worked hard to turn things around after finding the going rough early in the season.

However, the Devils did drop a heartbreaker, 73-70, to Bradley in the Southwest Arkansas Invitational Tournament in Saratoga, Wednesday, Jan. 12.

The Devils managed to win the first and fourth quarters, but dropped the second and third periods.

At the end of one Gurdon held a 20-17 lead as the Devils dropped in four three-pointers.

Bradley's Clifford Moore was no slouch behind the arc as he stroked the cords for three in the first himself.

Gurdon cooled off somewhat in the second eight minute frame, as did the Bears. But, Bradley managed to tie the game at 30-30 by halftime, as the Bears outscored Gurdon 13-10.

In the third, the Bears offense came alive for 22 points, while Gurdon scored 15, to take the lead at 52-45.

The Devils fired away in the fourth quarter, scoring 25 points, but falling short as the buzzer sounded.

Derek Anderson led Gurdon's attack with 21 points. He was followed by a 16-point outing by Norris Glenn. Ra Shaun Hopson and Kenard Pegram dropped in 11 each.

Greg Davis led Bradley with 28, while Cliff Moore added 17.

Gurdon nailed six of nine at the line, with Bradley stroking the net for 11 of 18 free throws.

Genoa Central felt Gurdon's wrath as the Devils scorched the Dragons 65-46 in league play.

Neither team scored well in the opening period, but Gurdon managed to come away with a 7-4 lead.

This changed in the second quarter as the Devils found their range for 17 points to go up 24-14 at the break.

In the third, it just got worse for Genoa as Gurdon's offense was blistering the nylon. By the end of three the Devils had increased their lead to 46-27, and cruised for the win.

Hopson was unstoppable for Gurdon with his 25 points on the night. Anderson and Glenn each contributed a baker's dozen.

Dusty McMurry led Genoa with 12, while Chad Hyman added 10 for the Dragons.

The Devils hit six of 13 free throws, while Genoa netted 14 of 26 attempts.

Mineral Springs also felt Gurdon's wrath as the Devils put a 77-50 whipping on the Hornets at the SWAR Invitational.

The Hornets were able to hang with Gurdon for the first eight minutes, though the period ended with the Devils leading 15-12.

Period two saw the Hornets take flight as Gurdon brought out the swatters to go up 33-23 at halftime.

In the second half, things just got plain ugly. Gurdon's offense was all but perfect, while Mineral Springs's team was dragging.

By the end of three, Gurdon had pushed its lead to 57-35, and continued pounding away in the final period, outscoring the Hornets 20-15.

Anderson nailed five three pointers to lead Gurdon with 26 points.

Hopson was next in line with 18, with Cameron Rhinehart adding 11. Glenn netted 10 in the game.

M. Oden led the Hornets with 11.

The Devils netted seven of 15 from the charity stripe, while the Hornets were eight of 17.

In the Fouke Classic, the Devils victimized De Queen 64-53.

Gurdon's offense was clicking as the game got underway, with the Devils taking a 21-11 lead over the Leopards.

De Queen returned the favor in the second period, outscoring Gurdon 20-10 to tie the score at 31-31.

This didn't set well with the Devils as they came out firing in the third quarter, reestablishing their lead at 52-39. The teams played relatively even in the final eight minutes.

It was Glenn's turn to lead the Devils in this game, as he stroked the nylons for 16. Rhinehart was close behind with a dozen, while Anderson dropped in 11. Hopson and Brannon Hatley chipped in 10 each.

Jeff Stearns led the Leopards with 15. J. Young followed with 14, with Neil Reynolds adding 11.

Gurdon shot 50 percent at the line, netting seven of 14. De Queen did better, sending 17 of 24 through on free throws.

Bright Star fell from the heavens, 66-46, at the hands of Gurdon in the Fouke tilt as well.

Gurdon showed no mercy early by pouncing on the Tigers 15-5 in the opening eight minutes.

The Devils stretched their lead to 32-18 by halftime, and showed no signs of kindness to their opponent.

This was evident in the third quarter as Gurdon demolished the Tigers 24-5 to go up 56-23.

Coach John Ware cleared the benches in the final period, getting the substitutes some valuable minutes on the court.

This allowed Bright Star to make the game appear closer than it really was.

Hopson led Gurdon with 14 points on the night, with Hatley contributing 13.

Michael Martin led Bright Star with 14, while Stephen Patterson netted 12.

At the line, Gurdon shot poorly, hitting only three of 10 free throws. The Tigers did a bit better, connecting on 10 of 23.

Pleasant Grove was Gurdon's first victim in the Fouke tourney, as the Devils posted a 73-47 win.

Pleasant Grove was able to hang with the Devils in the first half, after trailing 15-8 at the end of one, but taking a 28-27 lead by halftime.

All this did was irritate Gurdon as the Devils came out blazing in the third period.

Hopson scored nine, while Pegram stroked the cords for eight in the period, as Gurdon reestablished its superiority at 46-42.

The final eight minutes were pure torture for Pleasant Grove as the flames rose consuming them while Gurdon basked in a 27-5 outing for the victory.

Hopson led the way for the win with 24 points on the night. Pegram was smoking with 19.

Troy James paced Pleasant Grove with 15.

Gurdon's free throw shooting was better as the Devils hit seven of 11.

Pleasant Grove spent more time at the stripe, and converted 12 of 21.

The Devils will have three consecutive games at home, starting Friday, Jan. 21, when they host Lewisville. From there Stamps will visit Tuesday, Jan. 25, with Nevada making the trip on Jan. 28.