Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon Senior Squads Sweep Nevada High

The Go-Devils had Blue Jays for supper as they ended the regular season last week on Tuesday.

Both Gurdon's senior teams held an average 11-point spread through their games against the Nevada teams.

The Lady Jays were within two shots of catching the Lady Devils for the first two periods. At the half the score was 18-14, but in the third period the Lady Devils brought down 21 points to Nevada's seven.

The Lady Devils worked the defense, keeping most of the game at mid-court.

The final period brought each team 17 points, but the game ended with the Lady Devils holding on for a 56-38 win.

Gurdon's high scorer was Tonya Russey with 12 points.

The leading scorer was Alexis Madison of the Lady Jays with 15 points.

Three Gurdon High seniors were in the starting line-up at Gurdon's last home game of the 1999-2000 season. Tiffany Ware, Brandi Escalante and Crystal Simpson set the early lead that was held through the rest of the game.

Escalante, in particular, showed strength with a persistent knee problem which forces her to wear a special brace. Stan Escalante, Brandi's father, conveyed previously, "She's determined to continue and finish out her senior season."

Go-Devils Derek Anderson and Kenard Pegram shot the only three pointers in the first half of the game in senior boys action. Anderson gave the Go-Devils nine points. Pregram hit one in the second quarter.

At the half the Go-Devils had an 8-point lead over the Blue Jays at 30-22. The lead stayed strong through the rest of the game, ending 58-49 in favor of Gurdon.

Now the two Gurdon teams enter play in the district tournament at Stephens this week.

When questioned on the Lady Devils' prospects at district, coach Sandra Hatley said, "We finished in third place, more than likely we will be playing Blevins."

The tournament began Mon., Feb. 14.

For the Devils, they will be without the services of RaShaun Hopson, who was removed from the squad after being charged in a shooting incident in Arkadelphia Sat., Feb. 5. Related story on page 1.