Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon Takes Two At Genoa

Genoa Central's Dragons found out why the Gurdon Go-Devils are one of the top ranked teams in Class A.

Tuesday, Jan. 13, the Devils cooked the Dragons 68-47 in a game played using the entire 94-foot court.

The game opened with the ball finding nothing but green and gold clad players. However, the purple and gold on the other side refused to let the Dragons score.

Gurdon utilized its normal man-to-man defense and full-court press, thereby keeping the Dragons off the board.

At the 2:54 mark of the first quarter, Gurdon held an 11-4 lead. The period ended with the Devils ahead 15-4.

But, the Devils had problems of their own as their shots were slightly off. Otherwise, the game would have been a rout early.

Gurdon slowed down somewhat in the second quarter, possibly because the players were leg-weary after bringing home the coveted Southwest Arkansas Invitational Tournament Saturday, Jan. 10.

While the pace slowed, the defensive pressure put forth did not. The Dragons, however, hustled and played hard, but were outgunned by Gurdon.

Genoa scored the first five points of the second quarter, but the Devils rallied to stretch the lead late as they found their range from beyond the arc. Halftime saw Gurdon up 30-17.

The second half opened with Gurdon launching a three-point barrage and taking a 37-18 lead at the 6:27 mark. Once the outside game took hold, Gurdon's inside attack went to work. The period ended with Gurdon holding a 48-29 lead.

Gurdon mentor John Ware substituted freely and heavily in the final eight minutes. Again, the Dragons scored the first five points in the period, but Gurdon answered with a three point bomb and a steal, followed by another trey. With 6:02 left in the game, the Devils were in control 54-34.

Gurdon's full-court press took its toll against the Dragons, as fatigue could be seen on the faces of the five on the hardcourt.

The Devils fought for each and every possession, wreaking more havoc on the stamina of the Genoa players.

Eric Hatley led the way for the Devils with 14 points. Marcus Wright followed by rattling the irons for 11 and Demond Beasley netted another 10.

Genoa's Coy Mason led all scorers with 20, while Jason Hamilton added 11.

The Devils were nine of 17 from the charity stripe, while Genoa was 12 of 20 at the line.

LADY DEVILS 40

LADY DRAGONS 37

Gurdon's Lady Devils had all they wanted, and then some, from the Lady Dragons, before posting a 40-37 win.

The Lady Devils were all over the court, but Genoa scored first.

With the hectic pace, Jessica Rainey took a hard fall heading toward the goal, but was able to continue playing.

As has been the case all season, Gurdon's girls were able to get good shots, but had fits finding the bottom of the net. Had the Lady Devils shot in the neighborhood of 50 percent from the field, the game would have been no contest.

The first quarter, though, ended with Gurdon leading 12-8, in a contest that stayed close throughout.

Genoa Coach Cecily Butler opened the second quarter with a fresh five players. Still, though, Gurdon had the edge in size on the court, and continued pressing the ball, creating turnovers.

The Lady Devils outhustled Genoa, but the shooting problems allowed the Lady Dragons to hang around longer than they should have.

It didn't help Gurdon's cause to have Alecia Clayborn constantly double teamed in the paint. The half ended with the Lady Devils clinging to a scant 16-14 lead.

Something happened to the Lady Dragons during the intermission, because they appeared to be scared of Gurdon in the third period. This resulted in the Genoa defense loosening up and Gurdon being able to score a bit better.

It also allowed the Lady Devils to utilize their glass cleaning skills as they wiped the board clean.

The period ended with Gurdon holding a 30-24 lead.

The Lady Devils worked the ball more in the final frame, dishing the rock to one another, keeping it away from Genoa. In the first two-and-a-half minutes of the fourth, only three points had been scored.

The Lady Dragons crept back into the game as Gurdon's scoring problems continued. With 4:37 left, the score was 31-30. Genoa took the lead at 33-31 with 3:46 showing on a three-point shot.

This may have woke Gurdon's sleeping devils up, as they responded by tying the game at 33-3 with 2:52 left, and taking the lead when Clayborn was fouled with 1:51 left.

Interestingly enough, the two teams began swapping baskets as the game wound toward its conclusion.

Gurdon was leading 38-38 with 0:41.6 showing on the clock. Clayborn stole the ball, dishing it to Tameka Hatley, who, in turn was fouled.

With 0:26.9 remaining, Hatley netted both to give Gurdon a three point advantage.

Still, Genoa had time to possibly tie the game. Working for the last shot, the Lady Dragons made their final and fatal mistake by throwing the ball away.

The Clayborn-Hatley duo led the Lady Devils offensively. Clayborn scorched the nets for 17, while Hatley found the bottom of the goal for 11.

Lindy Stevens led Genoa with 11.

The Lady Devils were six of 13 from the free throw line, while Genoa was four of seven.

FUTURE GLOBETROTTER? Gurdon's Eric Hatley (22) does his imitation of the Harlem Globetrotters as he works to save the ball during Gurdon's 68-47 win over the Genoa Dragons Tuesday, Jan. 13. Along with his dribbling skills, Hatley led the Devils with 14 points.

MOVE IT Tameka Hatley (10), drives the lane, trying to move Genoa's Brandy Humphries and score during their game. The Lady Devils had their hands full with the Lady Dragons, but managed to post a 40-37 home court win.

BEAUTIFUL NOISEMAKERS Andrew Wilson, right, and Theresa Blake, members of the Marching Go-Devil Band, were recently named to the prestigious All Region Band.

COMING THROUGH Gurdon's Alicia Clayborn drives the lane for two points against the Lady Dragons of Genoa Central. The Lady Devils had their hands full during the game, but managed to come away with a 40-37 victory.