Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Lady Go-Devils Fall In Regional Tournament

Gurdon's Lady Devils won one half of their regional tournament game in Dierks Wednesday evening, 34-30 but lost the other half, 36- 21.

Unfortunately for them, the Lady Outlaws of Dierks won their half, the second, bigger, taking the game 66-55.

It was the fourth meeting of the two teams for the season, with Gurdon leading 2-1 going into the foray knowing it was reach the finals or get ready for track season.

Neither coach had any tricks left up their sleeves after three meetings, and the players were familiar with one another as well.

The two squads were running full tilt up and down the court, with the Lady Devils working the ball on offense for the best possible shot. Both teams also crashed the boards hard for rebounds.

Gurdon took a 9-5 lead at the 4:30 mark in the period, hustling, showing plenty of control and discipline. Fouls, though were a problem for the Lady Devils, as the team had committed four in the first six minutes of the contest.

As the first period wound down, Dena Jones launched a three, nailed it, but saw the officials wave it off because she had taken an extra step.

When the buzzer sounded, Dierks led 19-17.

The pace of the game slowed in the second period, with the Lady Devils showing a 3-2 zone defense. The Lady Outlaws scored the first two points of the frame, but saw Gurdon rally to go up 24-21 with five minutes left in the half.

While the Lady Outlaws were flat offensively, showing no movement in the second period, the Lady Devils played consistent and matched their first period point total of 17.

At the half, the Gurdon squad, who was the home team, but relinquished this designation in an act of kindness to the tourney hosts, led 34-30.

During the intermission, Dierks Coach Cindy Mason changed defense, tossing the zone in the garbage and going back to what brought the Lady Outlaws to the dance -- the man-to-man defense.

This proved to be pivotal in the game, as the Dierks crew responded in the third frame.

In the third, the Lady Outlaws came out with guns blazing from three-point land. The deadly accuracy, coupled with ball rustling defensive action, stunned Gurdon's girls.

Dierks took command of the game, 42-38, with 4:32 left in the third, as the Lady Devils had cooled from the field.

For the final eight minutes, the Lady Outlaws' aim proved deadly to Gurdon's post-season hopes. Dierks pushed their lead to double figures with 4:33 left at 57-43, and went into a stall offense with 1:45 remaining while leading 63-51.

Lavonda Young, who was left alone in the paint the first half, scored 20 to lead Gurdon's offense. Alecia Clayborn stroked the cords for 17.

Marci Story had the hot hand for Dierks with 23. Lori Whisenhunt fired away for 16, while Cristy Alexander gunned in 14.

Gurdon was six of seven from the charity stripe. Dierks, on the other hand, converted 18 of 30 free throws.

Gurdon's Lady Devils ended their season with a 21-9 record overall.