Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

GHS Heads To State (cont)

at Gurdon does and the pace took its toll on the Knights.

With a 7-5 lead and 3:09 left in the first, Ware subbed five new players into the game. This apparently confused the Knights as they began to falter somewhat.

But, the Devils were only able to take a 17-13 lead into the second quarter.

Gurdon's speed quickly proved to be more than the slower Knights could handle as the second period got underway.

Centerpoint's players attempted to make long-range bombs, but were rarely successful. On the other hand, the Devils played their game, setting a pace they liked and scoring almost at will.

Gurdon's press and traps worked, though the fouls piled up against Devil players.

The Knights couldn't figure out the "flash and dash" game Gurdon was playing and found themselves trailing 32-20 with 3:23 left in the half as the Devils were pulling away.

Free throws kept Centerpoint as close as the Knights were able to stay, with Gurdon being called for fouls while trying to steal the ball.

With 0:14 showing, Gurdon stole the ball and finished the play with a dunk, to the audience's delight.

The Devils also took a 40-26 lead to the locker room at the break.

The Knights got scoring started in the third period with three the old fashioned way a bucket and foul.

The Devils, though, began slowing the pace of the game, working the ball for the best shot.

But, the Knights began trying to drive in the paint instead of taking shots open from the outside.

The end result was several turnovers and baskets for Gurdon as the Devils led 57-34 at the end of three.

Gurdon drove the final nails into Centerpoint's coffin by opening the fourth quarter with back-to-back three-pointers.

With a substantial lead, the Devils spread the floor, worked the clock and drove the baseline for backdoor baskets.

Ware made sure all of the players saw action by clearing the bench in the waning moments.