Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves headed to conference playoffs this week

The Prescott Curley Wolves are headed to conference playoffs with their first game slated for Friday, Nov. 17. The event will start with a community pep rally Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Nevada County Courthouse.

The Prescott High School girls basketball team will play Thursday night at the gym, then fans are encouraged to turn out for the Friday game.

Were ready, Prescott Head Coach Greg Smith said of the upcoming game.

The Wolves havent been to conference play for the past two years. Smith said that means the majority of the current team havent had experience on the playoff field - a place where any mistake means more than the loss of a single game.

Youve got to bring youre a team every week, Smith said. One slip and its over.

The number of players with the ability to catch, run, tackle and defend is among the Wolves biggest strengths, Smith said.

We rely on a lot of people who can be a threat, he said.

The Wolves had a week off play but Smith said work for the team has been business as usual. The team practiced daily, including the usual Thursday pre-game practice session. The one exception was that players were released on Friday. Meanwhile, coaches went scouting to watch the games of the teams Prescott will likely face over the coming weeks.

Smith said the Yellville-Summit team has similar playing tactics to Magnet Cove. The Wolves beat Magnet Cove, 48-15.

But Smith said the game against Yellville-Summit wont be a walk in the park. That team thoroughly beat Green Forest last week in conference play, even though Green Forest held the home field advantage.

The Wolves have played a tremendous season with few games that could even be called close. The defense has traditionally held the field, refusing to yield to all but the toughest pushes. The offense has exhibited strength in numbers and talent with several players able to step in to produce the scores that carried the Wolves to the top of conference play.

The fact that Gurdon lost their first round conference game to Hoxie, as did Hope and Magnolia, means area fans have no conflicts and can turn out for the Prescott Curley Wolves game this week. Smith said he hopes that happens.

Because the game is at home, Smith said theres a special effort to encourage past Prescott football players to attend. Any Prescott player who made All State status will be offered seating in the center section of the home team bleachers, Smith said.

Of the team, Smith said excitement - and expectation - is high. Personally, Smith said he believes in the ability, talent and dedication of the Prescott Curley Wolves.

Were going to be here for awhile, he said.