Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolves As Good As Want To Be

What a difference a year makes.

Last year, the Prescott Curley Wolf basketball team went 1-20, only claiming victory in its season opening game.

This year, on the other hand, the Wolves are 16-6 overall and 10-2 in the 7AA conference. They are also second in the league, with a bye until the semi-finals of the district tournament this week.

At the start of the season, Prescott Coach Hal Landrith said he expected his team to finish third or fourth in the conference. How well the squad did, he said, depended on how well they wanted to do.

As expected, though, Fordyce was the team to beat in the 7AA. The Redbugs finished their season Friday night with a 72-53 win over the Nashville Scrappers, which gave them the conference championship.

Interestingly, the Scrappers should be on the same side of the bracket in the district tourney as the 'Bugs, as the Nashville team finished fourth in the conference.

Fountain Lake wound up third in league play.

The Wolves, no matter what they do in the district contest, are assured of making the trip to Fordyce for the regional tourney.

Landrith said he's been reading about two teams in the 8AA, Pine Bluff Dollarway and Lake Village, but believes they are no tougher than Fordyce.

In fact, he said those two squads play a run-and-gun style of offense and defense. This could play into the Wolves' hands should Prescott meet either squad in the regional event.

Fordyce beat Prescott the first time the two teams met by packing the defense inside, forcing the Wolves to shoot from the perimeter.

In the second meeting, the Wolves were able to take advantage of the inside play of C.D. Flemons. This led to a Prescott victory over the 'Bugs.

Getting the ball inside, Landrith said, is the key to winning for the Wolves. A fast paced game, as played by Lake Village and Dollarway, would fit into his plans quite nicely.

The difference in this year and last year for the Wolves is players. Last year's squad only had eight as few football players made the transition from the gridiron to the hardwood.

This season, two key football players crossed over to play the indoor sport and have made a significant impact on how the team has done. Those players, Flemons and Rashad Johnson, were able to spark the roundball Wolves almost immediately upon joining the team.

"We're running a system now," Landrith said, "more conducive to the type of player we have. They are good athletes and we're doing things to fit their talent better -- pressing and running."

Along with working the press and looking for fast breaks, this year's Wolves work to get the ball in the paint and on position for rebounds.

Landrith said the Wolves aren't the greatest shooting team, but the players work within the system and know their roles. This, he said, has been the key to success for the crew.

Role playing has been another factor in victory for the Wolves. Landrith said the players know where they fit in and what they are expected to do. "They know who the inside and perimeter people are, and who the ball handlers are. They play within their roles and show good offensive discipline."

The offensive discipline, he said, helps them get the most from the skills they have, while running time from the clock and assuring the team of getting good shots.

Still, winning comes down to personnel. "I'm not surprised with the addition of the people we have from football," Landrith said of the season's results.

"We picked up a point guard we didn't have last year." The Wolves also picked up a strong post player in Flemons, which gives the team strength inside.

"They play smart," he said. "They have a good understanding of the game."

There have been several keys to success for the 1996-97 roundball Wolves. Another has been the team's confidence level.

Landrith said one of the most important games of the year came early when the Wolves were able to beat arch-rival Gurdon while the football team was in the playoffs. "That helped a lot," he said.

Then came the win over Fordyce on Jan. 18. Landrith said the 'Bugs had more talent and skill than the Wolves, and, in fact, had no weaknesses. But, the Wolves were able to get up for the 'Bugs and hand them their only conference loss.

These two wins proved to the Wolves they could not only play with anyone, but beat them on any given night.

"If our defense comes on, we'll be even better," Landrith said. "We might make some noise in the regionals and possibly go to state.

"We're playing well now. If they step up, like they've done in big games, we've got a chance to go to state."

But, while the Wolves are playing well now, the team must stay focused and start looking at the big picture.

Another plus for the Prescott crew is the team is injury free. At this time of the year, injuries are more important than how well teams are playing in some instances.

The Wolves found out how good they were against Fouke Feb. 4, when Flemons missed the game because of back spasms. While his inside game was missed, the Wolves still managed to win. This, too, has helped the team's confidence level.

Still, the question remains -- How far can the Curley Wolves go? Landrith has no clue either. "This is a hard bunch to read," he said.

"My approach (this season) has been businesslike -- staying on an even keel and talk about their potential.

"They've responded in all the big games and have to keep stepping up even bigger. They need to get their eyes on the goal at the end -- going to state. But, they're a loose bunch."

This is how it stands for the Wolves -- they are assured of going to the regionals because they will be one of the top four finishers from the district tourney, regardless of what happens.

But, only the top two teams from the regionals go to the state tourney for the big dance on March 15 in Pine Bluff. The first levels of the state tournament will be played in Clarksville March 5-8.

Landrith said the 8AA teams are no better than Fordyce, and the Wolves have proven they can squash the 'Bugs.

So, the question remaining is how bad to the Wolves want their first state basketball title, because the team has showed it has the talent to bring one home.