Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves Take Fordyce, Lose To Mena

Had the Prescott administration doubled the price of tickets to the Prescott-Mena game, the gymnasium would have still been packed.

When the senior boys took the court, fans were treated to a solid, old-fashioned fundamental basketball game.

However, when all was said and done, the Wolves came up on the short end of a 45-39 score.

From the opening tip, the two teams were all over one another defensively, playing in- your-face ball at a hectic pace.

Mena was able to score better early on, though little scoring was done by either. In fact, only a combined 17 points were scored 11 by the Bearcats and 6 by Prescott.

The second quarter was a reversal of the first, as Prescott put 11 on the board, while Mena had six, to knot the game at 17-17 at the half.

While neither team worked a full court press, both played solid man-to-man defense, forcing passes instead of shots.

Prescott Coach Matt McClure substituted heavily, sending in three and four at a time to keep fresh legs in the game.

Though the outside was no walk in the park, inside the paint was no place for the weak of heart as both teams made one another pay for trying to get inside.

Halftime came and halftime left, with the two squads picking up where they left off when the second quarter ended.

The Wolves drew first blood with a free throw to take an 18-17 lead, but saw Mena retake the lead at 19-18 at the stripe.

In fact, most of the early scoring came from the free throw line as neither team shot well from the floor.

The 'Cats, though, were able to get their offense to fire first, and put some daylight between them and the Wolves at 31-24 with 2:41 showing.

The Wolves fought back, but were unable to narrow the gap to more than four at 34-30 when the third period ended.

Neither team was in foul trouble to start the final eight minutes.

Andrew Fellows brought the Wolves to within one as he scored, was fouled and nailed the free throw.

In playing an aggressive defense, the fouls began to pile up on the Wolves. Still, Mena wasn't able to take much advantage as the score was 37-33 with 5:37 showing.

But, turnovers and near misses became costly to Prescott as the game wound down, while these miscues allowed the 'Cats to put some distance between the teams.

Brandon Wilson led Prescott with 15 points, while Fellows converted for 12.

Carver led Mena with 16. Joe Perez was close on his heels with 15 for the 'Cats.

Prescott was nine of 14 from the line, while Mena connected on eight of 10 free throws.

In spite of the loss McClure said things are going well for the Wolves. "We needed the win Friday," he said, "but Mena is a quality team.

"We still have a chance to win the district."

This is because Mena and Fordyce each have one loss and both must play one another when the 'Cats travel to Panther country later on.

The Wolves, though, will be on the road to Mena for the final game of the regular season Friday, Feb. 12.

McClure said the Wolves didn't execute well against the 'Cats and will have to pick up the pace down the stretch.