Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves finish second in regional part I

Prescott's winning streak in "Little Bud" came to an abrupt end in the finals of the Region IV Tournament Saturday, Feb. 23.

The Curley Wolves and Hamburg Lions met to determine the top seed from the region for the state tournament starting this week. The Lions posted a 74-43 win.

It was standing room only when the game began. Hamburg won the tip and scored to get the game underway. In fact, the Lions would score the first six points of the game, before the Wolves would be able to get going.

However, Prescott's senior boys fought back to tie the game at 12-12 by the end of the first quarter.

The Wolves tried to work the ball inside, where play was physical to the point of being brutal.

Fans on both sides made plenty of noise for their team in the initial eight minutes.

Hamburg, though, started pulling away from the Wolves in the second quarter, though Prescott did stay close during the first four minutes.

The Lions led 19-16 with 4:17 remaining in the half, and this was as close as the Wolves would get the rest of the game, as Hamburg's running game hit full stride.

Prescott also made mental mistakes late, which allowed the Lions to increase their lead. In the last 35 seconds the Wolves were picked off twice while in-bounding the ball, with Hamburg turning the interceptions into four points.

Halftime arrived with Hamburg holding a 34-21 lead.

Coming back was a possibility in the minds of Prescott fans, but it wasn't to be in reality.

Hamburg returned in the third quarter and scorched the nets, as the Lions were able to work both inside and from the perimeter.

The Wolves fought back, but had problems finding the bottom of the bucket. It didn't help to have Hamburg cleaning the boards while Prescott only got one shot at the basket.

Both teams raced up and down the court as they had in the first half. The major difference was Hamburg could score, while Prescott didn't.

By the end of the third, the Lions led 58-34.

The Lions slowed play in the final eight minutes, concentrating more on running time off the clock.

As time ran down, both coaches began clearing their benches to give all the players a taste of tournament action.

The Wolves hit 10 of 20 from the free throw line, while Hamburg netted 12 of 21.

Joe Stueart led Prescott with 20 points. Justin Tidwell had 10, while Kevin Fulks scored eight.

This trio was also named to the all tournament team.

Hamburg was led by Brandon Brown's game-high 29. Markelo Brooks and Vondrez Ray added 15 each.

In the girl's finals, Fordyce tripped Star City 37-33.

The Lady Bulldogs of Star City slowed the pace to a crawl, though the Lady Redbugs wanted a faster game, which suited them more.

For the most part, the game consisted of much passing around the perimeter in search of an open shot by Star City.

Fordyce, though, ran whenever they got the chance.

At the end of one, though, the score was 6-5 favoring the Lady Bugs.

Halftime arrived with the scoreboard showing Fordyce leading 14-9.

The Lady Dogs continued their methodical manner of play throughout the third quarter, slowing play to the consistency of molasses on a cold day.

By the end of three, Fordyce led 22-18.

The final eight minutes began as the previous 24 had been played  slowly.

This changed, however, as the Lady Dogs began increasing their pace to get back into the game.

They managed to get close, only to have the Lady Bugs hold off a late charge and beat Star City for the third time in four meetings.