Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Genoa tops Lady Jays

Mentor and student met on the hardwood for the first time Tuesday, Nov. 1, as Genoa Central came to Nevada.

Cecily Butler, coach of the Lady Dragons, was the coach at Prescott when Stacy Stockton, Nevadas coach, played high school basketball. The two met as opponents for the first time with the Lady Dragons posting a 50-31 win over the Lady Blue Jays.

There was no doubt the Lady Dragons had more depth and experience than Nevada from the outset. However, it must also be said, Stockton benched several of her starters for the entire first half for rules infractions.

Scoring came slow in the first quarter for both squads as the teams were feeling each other out like two boxers, looking for weaknesses. Genoa scored the first four points in the game, and led 10-4 at the end of one.

The officials called the game tight, with whistles slowing play to a crawl at times. Otherwise, the two squads races up and down the court.

The Lady Jays were in the bonus before the period ended, but had problems converting free throws into points.

The Lady Jays opened the second period by scoring and cutting the lead to 10-8. Genoas players kept fresh legs as Butler subbed freely and frequently. Nevada had chances to tie the game and take the lead, but simply couldnt buy a free throw .

This allowed the Lady Dragons to pull away, taking a 19-10 lead with 3:14 left in the half. Genoa found the range late in the period and stretched its lead to 29-14 as the frame came to an end.

The Lady Dragons added three to start the third quarter, as the officials continued calling the game close. The two squads also found it difficult to hang on to the ball at times. Still, Genoa outscored Nevada 14-7 to lead 43-21 at the end of three.

Nevada never quit trying in spite of the difference on the board. But, the ball seemed to have eyes for Genoa as it bounced toward Lady Dragon players throughout the second half.

Butler emptied her bench, as did Stockton, to give all players game time and experience.