Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Tough week for Wolves, as Prescott drops two of three

It was a rough week for the Curley Wolves and Wolverettes as they each dropped two of three games.

The squads split against De Queen Tuesday night, both fell at Bismark Wednesday, then they split against Ashdown Saturday.

WOLVES 55

PANTHERS 57

Prescott had every opportunity in the world to win this game, but didn't convert free throws at critical times, while Ashdown did.

The Wolves got off to a slow start, though neither team distinguished itself offensively in the opening period.

Ashdown scored the first three points of the night, and built a 13-4 lead before the Wolves began to fight back.

The quarter ended with the Panthers holding an 18-13 advantage.

Ashdown scored to get the second quarter underway, while a Prescott player stepped inbounds before passing the ball to another teammate, thereby giving it back to the Panthers.

The Wolves got started, somewhat, on a Joe Steuart slam, and managed to take a 25-23 lead with 2:36 remaining in the half. Jason Butler added a dunk in the period as well.

Halftime arrived with Prescott holding a 32-27 lead.

Prescott's lead evaporated in the third quarter as the Panthers outscored the Wolves 18-8.

Prescott Coach Larry Newsom tried different combinations of players, looking for something to spark the Wolves. Nothing did.

Ashdown took the lead at the 3:59 point at 35-34. The lead changed hands a couple of times, but the quarter ended with the Panthers leading 45-40.

Prescott stole the inbound pass and scored to start the final eight minutes.

Ashdown's first three points in the quarter came from the free throw line, while the Wolves went cold from the field and the charity stripe.

The Wolves didn't quit, and managed to fight back, cutting the lead to 48-46 with 3:58 showing, then tie the game at 48-48 with 3:09 left.

It came down to free throws. Ashdown converted when it counted and Prescott didn't.

With 1:43 left, the A.J. Lewis had been fouled and Ashdown called for a technical foul.

Lewis went to the line for a one-and-one, but missed the first shot. Steuart stepped up and made both free throws for the technical to give Prescott a 52-51 lead.

Ashdown followed by scoring from the field and hitting four straight free throws to seal the win.

The Wolves were 17 of 28 from the line, while the Panthers hit 12 of 18 free throws.

Steuart led Prescott with 28 points, with Butler chipping in 17.

Freddy Brona and Courtney Dickson led Ashdown with 12 each, while Tovis Dansby added 11.

PRESCOTT 43

BISMARCK 67

A midweek game didn't help the Wolves as they fell to Bismarck 67-43 at Bismarck.

The Wolves never led in the game, as the Lions jumped out to a 17-10 lead after one, and were up 33-18 at the half.

The situation didn't improve in the third quarter as the Lions led 50-28 and cruised on to the win.

Prescott hit five of 13 from the line, while Bismarck connected on 13 of 22 free throws.

Steuart led Prescott with 22 points.

R. Weatherford was the game's leading scorer with 23, while J. Weatherford added 18 for Bismarck.

PRESCOTT 55

DE QUEEN 46

Prescott's lone win during the week came Tuesday night when the Wolves handled the Leopards 55-46 at the Prescott Sports Arena.

The Leopards won the tip, only to have the ball stolen and points scored by Prescott.

The Wolves swarmed to the ball on defense, flashing in lanes trying for steals and generally wreaking havoc on De Queen's offense.

However, neither team shot particularly well, with the first quarter coming to an end with the Wolves up 12-9.

The squads swapped buckets to start the second period, with defense dominating on both sides of the ball.

Halftime arrived with Prescott trailing 21-20 as the Leopards managed to find their range late in the period.

Prescott's offense exploded for 20 points in the third quarter, as the Wolves took control of the game and didn't look back.

However, the Wolves trailed until midway through the third, as both crews were sluggish early on.

With De Queen leading 31-30, Steuart picked up his game and brought the rest of the Wolves with him, as Prescott went on a 10-0 run in the last 2:32. In fact, Steuart had two steals, both ending in dunks on successive plays.

The third ended with Prescott holding a 40-31 advantage.

Neither team scored in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter, though the Leopards did break the drought with a field goal to cut it to 40-33.

Fouls began playing a factor in the game on both sides as the officials called a tight game.

At the 5:00 mark, the Leopards began hitting three-point shots and had cut the lead to 43-39 as Prescott had problems finding the bottom of the bucket.

Still, the Wolves managed to hold De Queen at bay and preserved the win.

Prescott connected on 11 of 15 free throws, while De Queen hit four of seven.

Steuart led all scorers with 31 for Prescott.

Eric Bennett paced the Leopards with 18, while Trey Williams added 17.