Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Devils Learn Why Stephens Top Team

Anyone doubting Stephens is one of the best basketball teams in the state has obviously never seen them play.

Tuesday, Jan. 19, Gurdon hosted the Roadrunners and the Go-Devils were glad to see these guests leave as Stephens posted a 64-45 win in the senior boys game.

From the outset, the Roadrunners turned up the heat on Gurdon, denying the Devils any access to the inside.

Offensively, Stephens seldom missed a shot and showed incredible speed in pulling down rebounds.

By the end of one, Stephens led 21-11.

Period two opened with Gurdon stepping out of character and trying to "slow" the pace down. Ordinarily, the Devils play fast and loose, a controlled chaotic type of game.

Against Stephens, though, the Devils had to try something different. Still, the Roadrunners were able do what they wanted as they increased their lead to 26-13 with 4:58 remaining.

Interestingly, with the game being played just shy of light speed, both teams showed amazing patience on offense and worked the ball for the best possible shot.

Stephens, the 1998 state champs, did this a little better than the home team. It should also be pointed out the Roadrunners lost nothing from the championship team.

Slow for these two teams is still much faster than most squads going full tilt.

With 1:20 left in the half, Gurdon held the ball for the last shot. The Devils worked the ball around the perimeter, dribbled here and there and took a shot with 20 seconds showing.

Though the shot missed, Terry Cornish was fouled and went to the line, hitting the first of two. The Devils managed to snare the rebound and put it in for two more.

However, Stephens still led 39-27 at the half.

Gurdon got the ball to start the third quarter, lost the handle and saw Stephens recover the rock and score.

It took the Devils almost two minutes of the third period to get on the board against the Stephens defensive pressure.

Though there was plenty of pressure, neither team worked a full-court press.

The refs let both teams play, and didn't go crazy calling fouls.

Stephens read the Gurdon offense, filled lanes, picked passes and scored, taking a 51-35 lead at the end of three.

The Devils played well enough to beat most teams in the state, but Stephens isn't most teams.

Try as they might, the Gurdon players simply couldn't bridge the gap against the Roadrunners.