Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

PHS Boys Meet Lake Village First

Officiating can make or break a ball game.

In the finals of the 7AA District Tournament Saturday night, the officials were more than prevalent and cost Prescott any chance the Wolves had at the title.

The zebras called invisible fouls, or no fouls at all, as they were inconsistent in regulating the game.

At one point late in the game, C.D. Flemons went down with an injury. Instead of stopping the game and getting the injured player off the court, the officials allowed play to continue. Flemons wound up having a Fordyce player fall on him a while he was down.

Then again, on the Redbug end of the court, Flemons clearly swatted away a shot, but was called for a foul.

The end result, though was a 59-44 loss to the 'Bugs in the finals.

Both teams ran the court, with the Wolves being patient with the ball, working for the best shot they could get.

Though the 'Bugs were bigger than the Wolves, Prescott showed more heart in taking a 14-12 lead after one.

By halftime, it appeared as though the Wolves were going to make it a double-dip with both squads bringing home district titles.

Prescott ran the score to 25-16 by intermission, with Carlos Haynie busting a trey as the buzzer sounded announcing halftime.

Yes, it seemed as though the Wolves had solved their 'Bug problem and would head to the regional tournament as a No. 1 seed.

However, when play resumed in the third quarter, the zebras took Prescott out of the game.

Fordyce scored the first eight points of the second half, while the Wolves had problems setting up their offense without being called for something.

Coach Hal Landrith called a timeout with 5:56 left and the score 25-24, Prescott.

It didn't help. Once play got underway again, the officials kept the Wolves out of their game. On the other hand, Fordyce was able to force the pace and do pretty much as it wanted.

With 2:54 left in the third, the 'Bugs took a 31-29 lead. Prescott was unable to get inside or get a clean shot off. On a number of occasions, when a Wolf attempted to shoot, the player had a 'Bug latched onto his arm with no whistle stopping play.

As time ran down in the period, Flemons, off balance, threw the ball in the general direction of the basket. When the buzzer went off, the ball found nothing but the bottom of the net to draw the Wolves within eight at 39-31.

This was as close as Prescott would get for the remainder of the game, as the Wolves simply couldn't beat the 'Bugs and Zebras.

Still, the Wolves didn't go down quietly. Though the outcome was already decided, as time ran down, Flemons soared skyward to slam home the final basket for Prescott.

Flemons was the leading scorer for the Wolves with 16 points. Jason Morrow followed with 15, while Haynie netted 11, including a trio of threes.

Kevin Williams led all scorers with 19, with Darrin Brazil scoring 17.

The Wolves were five of nine at the line, while Fordyce was nine of 16 in free throw attempts.

PRESCOTT 58

FOUNTAIN LAKE 52

All year long, the Curley Wolves have been a strong fourth quarter team.

In the semi-finals of the AA tourney, Friday night, they needed a strong fourth period to behead the Cobras of Fountain Lake 58-52, and advance into Saturday night's game against Fordyce.

For three quarters of the game, the Wolves were either close or tied with the Cobras. At the end of one, Fountain Lake led 12-10.

The score was knotted at 21-21 at the half, but the Cobras were able to take the lead at the end of three, 39-37.

Then came the final stanza and finish for the Cobras as the Wolves offense came alive.

Morrow paced the Wolves with 25 points to lead all scorers. Flemons was close on his heels with 24.

C. Bryant led Fountain Lake with 21, while C. Pascoe had 19.

The Wolves converted 13 of 20 free throws, while the Cobras were a perfect five of five at the line.

When the game was over, the Wolves, to a man, were dejected, unwilling to accept the loss.

Should these two teams manage to meet in the regional tournament finals Saturday night, the 'Bugs had better be on guard, because the Wolves will bring their can of Raid.

REGIONAL TOURNEY

Saturday's loss sends the Wolves to the regional contest as the second seed from 7AA.

This means they have a date with the Lake Village Beavers at 5:30 p.m. today.

This game will be followed by the battle between Fouke's Panthers and the Cardinals of Pine Bluff Dollarway at 8:30.

Thursday's action sees Eudora and Fountain Lake tangle in the early game at 5:30 p.m., while play ends for the night when Fordyce locks horns with Drew Central at 8:30 in the boys bracket.

The winner of Wednesday's games meet at 5:30 p.m. Friday, while the Thursday combatants will hit the court at 8:30 Friday.

The championship game will be played at 8:30 Saturday night. A consolation game to see who finished third will be played at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

The top four finishers in the regional tournament will receive bids to the first round of the state tournament, which will be played in Clarksville next week.