Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Go-Devils Outlast Hornets

Fans got their money's worth Friday, Dec. 1, when the Gurdon and Blevins senior boys hit the hardwood.

The game was back and forth from the outset, and literally not decided until the final buzzer when the Devils were able to escape with a 50-47 win.

This was the first victory for the Devils on the young season, giving them a 1-5 overall mark.

Gurdon had a slight height advantage, and used it early on, scoring inside after winning the tip.

The Devils came out in a 2-3 zone and played a more control-oriented game. Traditionally, Gurdon has played a man-to-man defense and been a run-and-gun style team.

Patience paid off as Gurdon jumped out to a 6-2 lead with 5:04 left.

The Devils also showed fans a more intelligent game as they worked for good shots, then were in position for the rebound on misses. This allowed Gurdon to get more than just one shot at the bucket, then play defense.

In order to compensate against the Gurdon defense, Blevins was forced to try and hit outside, and was successful as the Devils were only able to post a 13-10 lead at the end of one.

Another surprise by the Devils was the lack of fouls early on. Gurdon didn't commit a single such transgression in the first eight minutes. The second quarter was a slightly different story, though.

The Hornets managed to steal the ball and score, making it 13-12 with 7:03 in the second. Gurdon retaliated by driving downcourt, working the ball in, making the bucket and being fouled in the act.

While the free throw went awry, Gurdon pulled down the board and went back up to make it a four-point play and give the Devils a 17-12 lead.

The biggest advantage the Hornets had over Gurdon was the ability to convert free throws.

The Hornets were in the bonus with 1:55 left, and managed to hit free throws down the stretch to keep Gurdon from developing a big lead.

Halftime arrived with the score 26-22 for the Devils.

Gurdon's first shot of the second half was blocked, but the Devils still scored first on a free throw.

Neither team would concede an easy bucket, and each forced the other to work for every point scored.

With 5:50 left in the third, Gurdon led 29-24. Blevins managed to score and the Devils were hit with a technical foul because one of the players was wearing jewelry.

This gave the Hornets two free throws and the ball. Blevins hit both to make it 29-28,then took the lead at 30-29 as Gurdon went momentarily flat.

From the 4:53 point until the end of the third quarter the two teams played dead even, with the period ending in a 37-37 deadlock.

Blevins continued spreading the floor trying to open Gurdon's zone, while the Devils kept their heads and made the Hornets work for decent shots.

The end result was neither team shot well. Gurdon fired a 50-foot shot at the buzzer, only to see it careen off the backboard.

Gurdon wanted the win more, and it showed in the fourth quarter.

A blocking foul gave Blevins the lead, 38-37, and the Hornets managed to stretch this to a 40-37 margin with 5:39 left, following a steal and layup.

What the Hornets didn't realize was their scoring was almost over for the night. Blevins managed to add two more to their lead, making it 42-37, before the Devils went on a 13-5 run in the final 5:00.

With both teams in the bonus, Gurdon began finding its stroke at the charity stripe when it counted the most.

A charge by Blevins allowed Gurdon to cut the lead to 42-39. This margin was shaved to 42-41 following a Hornet foul at the 4:26 mark. In actuality, the Devils made the bucket and missed the tying free throw, but took the lead seconds later with a pair of free throws.

For the final four minutes both coaches burned time outs like they were scented candles, each discussing strategy with his charges on both offense and defense.

Fouls slowed the pace of the game in the last three minutes as the players on both sides were exhausted.

Victory, at this point, would be determined by who was willing to pay the higher price.

Gurdon trailed 45-43 lead with 2:04 left, cutting this to 45-44 with a free throw.As the clock ticked down Blevins broke Gurdon's press with a long pass. This made it 47-44 with 0:51 left. It was also the Hornets's last hurrah.

The Devils made it 47-46 with a pair of free throws with 29 seconds left and took the lead with a steal off the full-court press.

Twenty-one seconds were left between a Gurdon win or loss as the Devils held onto a 48-47 lead.

Again the Hornets spread the floor in an attempt to find a passing lane and open player.

While an open player was found, Gurdon stole the ball and scored, only to be stunned by an early whistle with 0:13 left.

One of the officials blew the play dead after the steal and waived the basket off. However, Gurdon retained possession of the ball, but the Devils's fans had been momentarily silenced.

Gurdon was fouled immediately on the inbound pass and hit one of two free throws to make it 49-47 with 12 seconds left.

The Hornets rebounded the missed second shot, but lost the ball.

Gurdon was again fouled with two ticks left, and again hit one of two, but it was enough for the 50-47 win.

GURDON 50

LEWISVILLE 78

Gurdon took it on the chin against league foe Lewisville in the second game of the season, falling 78-50.

The Devils were able to stay close in the first half, trailing 23-19 at the end of one and 39-33 at the half, only to see Lewisville stretch its lead to 66-41 at the end of three.

Dorsey Kelly led Gurdon with 13 points in the game. Walter Hart added 11 and Rufus Hatley scored 10.

Quinton Davis was the game's leading scorer with 16 for Lewisville. The duo of Kris Cross and Jeremy Sanders scored 10 each.

GURDON 50

ARKADELPHIA 74

This contest proved to be a replay of the Lewisville game as the Devils were unable to mount a consistent offense throughout the contest.

The Badgers took a 17-8 lead at the end of one, pushing it to 35-21 by the half.

Arkadelphia showed no mercy in the third quarter as the Badgers added to their lead at 53-32.

Kelly again led the attack with 21 for Gurdon, with Norris Glenn scoring 13.

Chris Summerville paced the Badgers with 20, while Charnaley Marhsall scored 10.

GURDON 50

WALDO 61

Gurdon fought hard in this contest, but still couldn't score enough to post a win, falling 61-50 to Waldo.

The Devils battled tooth and nail with Waldo in the first quarter, but trailed 11-9. The fight continued in the second period, with Waldo leading 26-22 at the break.

There was still no quit in the Devils in the second half, even though Waldo widened the margin by 10 at 44-34 at the end of three.

Glenn paced the Devils with 13, while Hart added nine.

Chris Strahan led Waldo with 20. Ashton Howell and Chasmond Watts had 10 each.

Gurdon fell to Avery, Texas, 74-63 in a game played at Texarkana during the Thanksgiving holiday. No stats were available from this contest.