Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Devils fall at state

Gurdon's trip to the state playoffs ended with a heartbreaking last-second, 72-71, loss to Buffalo Island.

The Devils got off to a good start early by winning the opening tip and scoring.

Gurdon's Rufus Hatley scored six of the team's first eight points, and managed to lead the Mustangs 19-13 at the end of one.

The Devils managed to maintain their lead against the Monette team throughout most of the second quarter, only to see the Mustangs rally late and cut a 30-23 lead to 30-29 by halftime.

Buffalo Island took control of the game in the third quarter, pulling to a 48-46 lead. Gurdon did have a chance to take the lead at the buzzer, but Hatley missed a three-point attempt.

Action was fast and furious in the final eight minutes, especially toward the end of the game.

With 2:50 showing, Dorsey Kelley nailed a shot while falling down to give the Devils a 61-60 lead. As he was fouled on the play, the free throw put Gurdon up 62-60.

Gurdon managed to build a four-point lead with a minute to go, only to see the Mustangs rally.

With 33.3 seconds showing Gurdon is at the foul line, but missed the front end of the one-and-one.

Three seconds later, Buffalo Island is at the line and nail both free throws to cut the score to 69-66.

Fouls dominated the final seconds, with Norris Glenn taking his turn at the charity stripe with 28 seconds left. Glenn hit both to put the Devils up 71-66.

The Mustangs refused to go away and hit a three with 15 ticks showing, and foul Glenn with five seconds remaining.

Glenn missed both, with the Mustangs pulling down the board, racing down court and hitting a trey at the buzzer for the win.

The Devils outscored Buffalo Island 18-14 in points off turnovers in the game, and dominated the paint by pouring in 30 points while allowing eight.

Gurdon's largest lead of the game was 13 at 28-15, with the Devils outscoring the Mustangs 8-4 on second-effort points.

However, Buffalo Island was deadly beyond the arc, scoring 30 points with three-point shots, while Gurdon hit four treys in the game.

The Mustangs also did better at the stripe, scoring 20 points in free throws, while Gurdon managed nine.

Gurdon's bench outscored the Mustangs, though, 15-0.

There were seven lead changes and five ties during the contest.

Free throws went to Buffalo Island, as the Mustangs were almost perfect hitting 20 of 21. Gurdon was nine of 17 at the line.

Hatley was Gurdon's leading scorer with 20 points on the night. Kelly chipped in 13, while Eddie Fort added 12.

Buffalo Island was led by Mark Hawkins's 22 point effort. Erick Werly scored 21, with Brandon Ballard adding 15.

"Overall," Kelly said after the game, "we had a great season, although most people doubted us. We worked hard and with practice and perseverance, we made it to state."

"We played good the whole season," Kentrell House said. "Especially once we got to state. People doubted us, but overall I think we had a great year."

Coach John Ware said the players worked hard all year long and they are what it's all about.