Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Lady Devils Stop Nevada

In a week with three games, the Lady Devils were able to win two of three.

The week began with a loss at Stamps, but ended with a victory at home against Nevada.

The Lady Devils opened the contest in a zone defense, pressuring the ball whenever a member of the opposing team had it.

Turnovers on both sides kept scoring down early, though both teams were up and down the court.

With 4:31 showing in the first, Nevada led 4-2.

As the opening quarter wound down, both teams settled into their games and the scoring picked up somewhat. Nevada held a 9-6 lead with 2:41 remaining, but saw the Lady Devils score the next five points and end the period ahead 11-9.

Gurdon worked to deny the ball inside to Nevada's Ramona Evans, who is one of the best players in the division. This forced the Lady Jays to either force the ball inside or take shots from the perimeter.

The other side of the ball saw Gurdon's LaVonda Young step up and take control of the game in the paint in place of the injured Alicia Clayborn.

Still, the Lady Jay press had its affect on Gurdon as Nevada pulled ahead17-16 with 4:50 left in the half.

The officials let both teams play, but were inconsistent in their calls. Though the game was back and forth, neither team could exert its dominance on the other.

Halftime arrived with the score tied at 23-23.

Period No. 3 arrived with the two teams picking up their defensive pressure even more. Each time one team tried to pull away, the other responded to keep it close.

The third quarter closed with the Lady Jays up 32-31.

It was still anybody's game as the final eight minutes began. Nevada stepped up its full-court press, but the Lady Devils rallied.

Both teams were in the bonus situation with 4:42 remaining and Gurdon leading 42-39.

The Lady Devils mined several tons of iron as their shots continually banged the rim but seldom fell. With shooting from the field being cold, Gurdon's free throws were more critical than ever.

With 2:36 left, Gurdon had a 46-41 lead and was working the clock, spreading its offense.

Still, the Lady Jays had their chances to cut the gap and take the lead. But, Nevada couldn't convert when it needed to either.

With the clock winding down, Gurdon led by four. The Lady Jays had no choice but to fire up three point shots. Evans hit one with two seconds left in the game, cutting the lead to one, but Gurdon held on for the win.

Young led Gurdon's attack with 16 points, while Jessica Rainey added 11 in the victory.

Alexis Madison paved the way for Nevada with 16. Evans was held to 15, while Shiheta Henry scored 11.

The Lady Devils were 11 of 20 from the stripe, while Nevada was 14 of 19.

GURDON 51

LEWISVILLE 34

The Lady Devils earned a much-needed win on the road as they humbled Lewisville 51-34 Thursday night.

Gurdon jumped out to an 11-5 lead at the end of one, but saw the score tied at 21-21 when the half arrived.

The Lady Devil defense cooled off the Lady Red Devils in the third period as Gurdon again took the lead 30-25 and shut Lewisville down in the fourth quarter.

Tiffany Ware led Gurdon with 13 points, with Rainey contributing 1 and Tameka Hatley adding 10.

D. Anderson and N. Colllins led Lewisville with eight each.

GURDON 61

STAMPS 66

In a hard-fought game, the Lady Devils were unable to hold off the Lady Yellow Jackets of Stamps, though the Gurdon girls led much of the way.

In the end, though, Stamps won 66-61.

The Lady Devils opened well, leading 17-14, and held a 36-35 advantage at the break. But, by the end of the third quarter the Lady Jackets had managed to fight their way back and take a 49-48 lead.

Rainey was Gurdon's leading offensive weapon with 19. Hatley and Ware stroked the nets for 14 each.

Latasha Walker led Stamps with 16 points, while Courtney Davis added 15. Rachel Dockery and LaHare Pree scored 13 apiece.