Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon Takes Two Victories At Nevada

Gurdon took two of three from Nevada Thursday, Jan. 29, with the senior girls and junior boys posting victories.

GURDON 52

NEVADA 85

Gurdon's youth showed as the Devils were unable to keep pace with the Nevada Blue Jays and fell 85-52.

Part of the problem was the Devils lost starter Dorsey Kelly with about a minute left in the first half. Kelly fouled out with seven points and left a hole in Gurdon's offense.

The Devils played hard, but trailed 21-15 at the end of one. Gurdon continued doing its best against the Jays, but the Devils were down 38-29 by halftime.

The Jays were able to rely on some trees inside, as six members of the Nevada team scored in double figures.

By the end of three, the Jays had pulled away and led 63-42.

Gurdon Coach John Ware cleared the bench to get everyone into the game to gain experience for later on.

Norris Glenn was Gurdon's leading scorer with 15. K.P. Meeks followed with 10.

Jamarrio Beasley was the game's leading scorer with 17. Jason Yarbrough was next with 14, while Recarto King chipped in 13. Matthew Young added 12, with Geoffrey Box tossing in 11 and Ronald Pearson scoring 10.

Gurdon was five of 11 from the line, while Nevada hit 10 of 19 free throws.

LADY DEVILS 54

LADY JAYS 38

Gurdon's senior girls made up for the boys' loss by drubbing the Lady Jays 54-38.

The margin of victory would have been greater, except Nevada employed the old Villanova four-corners offense, slowing the pace of the game to the glacial state.

The Lady Jays had so little to offer on offense, they went into a stall, though they trailed at the time. Players would hold the ball near mid-court for more than 30 seconds at a time, waiting for Gurdon to make a mistake.

At other times, the Lady Jays would employ a three-player weave at the top of the key, hoping Gurdon would fall asleep from boredom and allow them to drive the baseline.

It didn't work often, and it resulted in Nevada mistakes as much as points.

On the other hand, the Lady Devils looked to push the ball up and down the floor and a faster pace. This they did every chance they got.

Still, by the end of one Gurdon's lead was only 10-6 because of the pace. Halftime arrived with the Lady Devils in control 26-18.

Gurdon added to its lead in the third at 38-25.

Trailing by 13 going into the fourth quarter, the Lady Jays were forced to pick up the tempo and play Gurdon's game. However, after working at such a slow pace for three quarters, the Lady Jays were unable to do this.

Sonia Beasley paced Gurdon with 16 points. Angela Walker tossed in 11 as well.

Pam Young led Nevada with 15.

Gurdon's biggest problem came at the line, where the Lady Devils were only five of 12.

Nevada also shot 12 free throws, but hit nine.

GURDON 30

NEVADA 28

Gurdon's junior boys had to come from behind to steal a 30-28 win against the junior Jays.

Nevada led most of the way, but fell apart in the fourth quarter and wound up losing the game at the free throw line. In the final six minutes the Jays had 15 free throw opportunities  they hit four.

Gurdon didn't complain at Nevada's poor marksmanship from the charity stripe.

The Jays opened with an 8-6 lead at the end of one and were up 15-11 at the half. By the end of three the score was 22-19 in Nevada's favor.

However, Gurdon shot better from the field in the fourth period, while the Jays had one field goal and the aforementioned four free throws.

DeShaun Allen and Marcell Johnson led Gurdon with nine each.

Reco Mixon was the game's leading scorer with 12.

Gurdon didn't distinguish itself at the line either, hitting two of eight. Nevada, overall, was 10 of 22.