Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

NHS Fights Way To SAU Finals; Defeating Smackover, Waldo

Nevada's Blue Jays made it to the finals of the Southern Arkansas University tournament before falling to Bradley 41-33.

The Jays dug themselves a hole early and fought the remainder of the game to get out of it. Bradley was of little help in this endeavor.

The Jays were cold from the field in the first period, and wound up on the short end of a 15-6 score.

Both squads played evenly in the second quarter, scoring nine points apiece. But this didn't help Nevada out as the Bears were up 24-15 at the half.

Nevada's defense did better in the third, as did the Jay offense. Bradley was held to three points the old fashioned way, a bucket and free throw, while the Jays cut into the lead with 12.

Heading into the final eight minutes, Nevada had taken a 29-27 lead.

However, the Bears returned the favor in the fourth quarter, outscoring Nevada 14-3.

Jason Yarbrough led the Jays with 14.

Antario Glover was the game's leading scorer with 28.

Nevada converted three of four free throws, while Bradley hit eight of 13.

NEVADA 63

SMACKOVER 60

The Jays made it to the finals by clipping the Buckaroos 63-60 in senior boys action.

Nevada opened the game with a 19-16 lead, and pushed this to a 36-28 halftime advantage.

By the end of three the Jays lead had been cut to 45-42, with the Bucks looking to pull off a come-from-behind win, only to fall just short in the final period as both teams scored 18.

Yarbrough again led all scorers with 26 for the Jays. Recarto King was next up with 17.

Johnathan Medica was the game's high scorer with 29.

Nevada utilized a steady performance at the line to help preserve the win as the Jays hit 17 of 20 free throws. The Bucks hit eight of 16.

NEVADA 87

WALDO 75

Free throws won the game for the Jays in the second round of the SAU tourney, as Nevada won 87-75 over Waldo.

The Jays connected on 21 of 25 from the charity stripe, and converted 16 of 19 in the fourth quarter to hold off the Bulldogs.

Nevada outscored Waldo 16-9 in the first period, only to see the Dogs begin to run in the second and cut the lead to 38-34 by halftime.

The Dogs made a game of it in the third, slicing the Jays lead to one at 57-56.

But, the Jays responded to the pressure and scored 30 in the final eight minutes, mostly from the line.

Yarbrough paced Nevada with 27, with Geoffrey Box adding 18. Matt Young scored 15, with Recarto King adding 14.

Chris Strahen led the Dogs with 26. Terry Carter scored 18, with Ashton Howell adding 13.

NEVADA 76

UNION 69

Nevada made sure the Cyclones were nothing more than hot air in the first round of the SAU tourney, as the Jays posted a 76-69 win en route to a second place finish.

The first half was nip-and-tuck as the Jays led by one, 19-18, when the first quarter ended, and clung to a slender 35-33 advantage at the half.

Nevada managed to put a bit of daylight between itself and the Cyclones in the third, pushing the lead to 60-54.

Yarbrough began his scoring assault in this contest by pouring in 25 points. Box netted 20 for the Jays.

Derrick Davis led Union with 26,while Alfonso Davis chipped in 17. Josh Smith contributed 13.

The Jays hit 14 of 22 from the line, while Union connected on 18 of 23.