Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves capture district title, head to region part I

Prescott's Curley Wolves are the 7AAA District Champions, but the title didn't come without a fight.

In fact, until midway through the fourth quarter, the Mena Bearcats had been in command, as Prescott had problems with the Cat 2-3 zone. But, Prescott managed to beat Mena for the third time this season, 51-45.

Once this puzzle was solved, though, the Wolves dismantled Mena.

The game got off to a late start, 9:07 p.m., as the consolation games took longer than planned.

Prescott managed to score first, but found itself behind shortly thereafter, as Mena managed to shoot better from the field.

The teams were up and down the court, both looking to run at any and all opportunities. Mena, though shooting better than Prescott, didn't shoot particularly well.

The Wolves suffered turnover problems and were stymied by Mena's 2-3 zone.

At the end of one, the Cats led 9-7 in a surprisingly low scoring period.

Prescott tied the game to start the second quarter, but again wound up on the short end of the score as the Cats were in control.

The Wolves tried to force the ball inside, only to have it either slapped away, or picked off.

With 6:33 left in the half, Mena held a 13-9 lead. Prescott would score four more points in the quarter, as the Wolf offense was yet to get on track.

Halftime arrived with Mena up 22-13. The break also came with Prescott's Kevin Fulks having three personal fouls called against him.

The Cats were loose during the warm up before the third quarter, while Prescott was late coming out of the lockers.

Period three looked like the first two, too much so for Prescott fans filling "Little Bud".

However, the Wolves did manage to cut Mena's lead to six by the end of the third.

This was done primarily with a solid, stingy defense, which rejected almost everything the Cats attempted.

As the third wound down, the Wolves began playing Prescott ball, and attacking inside, while shooting from the perimeter to break the zone.

Mena, though, didn't fold, and fought back. Those Cats riding the pine were animated during the first three quarters, mimicking the officials and aping their calls.

The third ended with Mena holding a 37-31 lead.

During the final eight minutes, it was pretty much all Prescott. The Wolves opened the fourth by cutting the score to 37-33.

This was followed by a steal and Joe Stueart getting fouled while going for the lay up. He nailed both free throws and the score was now 37-35 with 6:50 showing.

Mena's bench riders were unusually silent and still.

Stueart followed this with another steal and score to tie the game at 37-37 with 6:30 left.

Mean managed to get its last lead at 39-37 with 4:47 to go, then could only watch as the Wolves showed why they were ranked No. 1 in the state.

Stueart tied the game with a jumper, with Prescott taking a 42-39 lead with 2:25 on the clock.

Mena's offense was unable to find the bottom of the basket, and the Cat press didn't stop Prescott's attack.

At the 1:40 mark, Prescott was in the bonus and Mena was on the ropes.

Justin Tidwell scored with 1:30 to go, was fouled but missed the free throw. Still, Prescott led 44-39.

Shortly thereafter, Prescott nailed a couple of free throws to make it 46-39, thereby forcing Mena to foul to stop the clock and preserve time.

The Wolves managed to hit their free throws down the stretch and pushed the lead to 50-42 before Mena hit a three late.

Prescott's final point came on a free throw.

The Wolves connected on 11-17 from the charity stripe, while Mena hit six of nine at the line.