Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Devils lose close game to Prescott

Though giving it all they had, the Gurdon Go-Devils couldn't overcome the Prescott Curley Wolves and Wolverettes on the basketball court.

The Devils made the trip to Prescott Friday, Nov. 19, to kick off basketball season. The Lady Devils fell 50-46, while the Devils went down 64-57.

In the senior boys game the Devils won the opening tip, but were unable to convert. Prescott drew first blood in the fast paced contest. Both teams were looking to run at every opportunity.

As is typical in Gurdon-Prescott games, the paint was a dangerous place as the battle for rebounds was anything but pretty. Prescott drew out to a 12-6 lead and looked to be in control. However, the Devils fought back and narrowed the margin. But, as the period came to an end, Prescott hit a trey to make it 24-16.

Gurdon was in the bonus to open the second quarter. The two squads swapped buckets, with Gurdon putting the pressure on the Wolves and cutting the lead to 30-27 with 4:12 left in the half. The Devils pressed and made life miserable for Prescott, but were unable to take the lead.

Later in the period the Wolves found the answer to Gurdon's press and began pulling away. Still, there was no quit in the Devils. Halftime arrived with the score 38-32 in Prescott's favor.

Gurdon got the ball to open the second half, only to see the Wolves score first and build a 10-point lead. The Devils showed more patience in the second half, working the ball to the open player for the best possible shot. But, as the third quarter came to a close, the scoreboard showed the home team still leading by 10 at 52-42.

Gurdon went on a 5-0 run to start the fourth period, as the press again provided the Devils with turnovers and quick scoring opportunities. With 5:31 showing, Gurdon had cut the lead to one at 52-51, as Prescott couldn't buy a basket.

Still, though, Gurdon was unable to get over the hump and take the lead. This allowed Prescott players to find their stroke and widen the gap somewhat. With 3:31 left, Prescott led 56-53, extending the lead to 58-53 with 2:30 showing.

The noise level in the Prescott Athletic Sports Complex became almost unbearable in the final minute of the back and forth game as fans of both teams cheered the players on.

However, Gurdon fans went home disappointed as the Wolves posted the 64-57 victory.

Bobby Bird led Gurdon with 19 points. Todd Norman was next with 15, while Rashad Ritchie chipped in a dozen. Randy Bell tossed in 10 for the Devils.

Luther Stueart led all scorers with 30 for Prescott. Mitch Taylor had 11.

Gurdon was seven of 14 from the charity stripe, while Prescott hit six of 16 free throws.

The girls game was nip and tuck from the opening tip to the final buzzer.

Prescott scored the first five points, only to see Gurdon fight back and cut the lead to 7-5 with 4:43 left in the opening period. The Wolverettes built a 13-9 lead, only to see the margin sliced to one as the Lady Devils connected with a trey at the buzzer to make the score 13-12 at the end of one.

Gurdon took the lead early in the second period by scoring first. The Lady Devils pressed Prescott most of the game, forcing several turnovers.

The Lady Devils outscored the Wolverettes 12-11 in the second quarter, as halftime arrived with the score knotted as 24-24.

It was typical Prescott-Gurdon play throughout the game, with plenty of action in the paint, battles for loose balls and every point earned.

The third quarter was no different from the first two periods as neither team could put the other away. At the end of three, the score remained tied at 38-38.

The Wolverettes went on a 7-0 run to start the final frame, and this proved to be more than the Lady Devils could overcome. With 5:24 remaining, Prescott led 45-38.

At this point, the Wolverettes went into a stall to milk the clock and force Gurdon to foul. The Lady Devils refused to give up, but couldn't get closer than four point away from the lead.

The Lady Devils were nine of 20 from the line, while Prescott hit four of 11 free throws.

Felicia McPeak led the Lady Devils with 11 points, while Jerrick McHenry added 10.

Delores Steuart led all scorers with 17 for Prescott. Tarena Smallwood followed with 15, while Mica Yates chipped in 13.