Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolverettes Beat Gurdon, Win Second Tournament

Saturday night's finals of the Southwest Arkansas Senior Invitational Tournament in Saratoga couldn't have been staged any better.

Two old foes took to the hardwood as the Gurdon Lady Go-Devils tangled with the Prescott Wolverettes.

There were no surprises for either team in this contest. In fact, it was like two boxers who have fought on a number of occasions. The Wolverettes and Lady Devils stood toe-to-toe, trading punches to see which would succumb first.

This time, it was the Lady Devils who went down for the 10 count as Prescott's senior girls showed why they went to the state playoffs at the end of last season.

It was also the second tournament the Wolverettes have won this season, having earlier taken the crown at the Murfreesboro Tournament.

But, Saturday night saw the Wolverettes post a 61-50 win to take the title of the prestigious Southwest Arkansas Invitational.

Interestingly, the two schools were unable to schedule a game between the senior girls' squads for the regular season, though there have been two "B" team games. Each school won on its home court.

The game opened with Prescott getting in some solid blows at the start. In fact, the Wolverettes led 13-7 late in the first period until Tameka Hatley connected with a three pointer to cut the lead to 13-10 and a free throw ended scoring after one at 13-11.

Though there was no give in the Lady Devils, they didn't have the legs to run with the Wolverettes as Prescott pulled to a 34-26 halftime lead. The score was pushed to 49-36 by the end of three, with Coach Cecily Butler substituting freely in the final eight minutes.

This was a great game for the fans who literally filled the gym at Saratoga. In fact, crowds had overflowed from the stands and stood along the home goal baseline. Fans who couldn't get inside the court crowded the lobby, blocking the doors.

Stacy Stockton led the Wolverette offense with 20 points, including a perfect night at the charity stripe where she hit six of six shots. Gladies Gulley followed with 18 points, connecting on nine of 10 shots from the field. Laura Culpepper was next in scoring with 10 points.

Hatley paced Gurdon with 18 points in the contest.

The Lady Devils did most of their damage from downtown as Gurdon hit five three-pointers in the game.

Other Prescott highlights include four assists from Jessica Hildebrand, while Leslie Hines ripped down nine boards. Gulley had six rebounds in the outing, while Culpepper cleaned the glass 12 times and dished out four assists.

The Wolverettes were perfect as a team from the free throw line as they nailed all eight shots. Gurdon was five of 12 from the stripe.

Tourney officials originally announced the trophy presentation would be made at the end of the senior boys game. However, they changed this to let the girls teams leave (if they chose) and awarded the trophies at the end of the third quarter.

This did not please the overflow capacity crowd as the Saratoga Bulldogs and Emerson Pirates were involved in a close game. The Pirates were able to post a 53-50 win in the game for the boys.

PRESCOTT 59

EMERSON 39

In the semifinal game of the SWAR tourney, the Wolverettes plundered the Lady Pirates 59-39 Thursday night.

Prescott benefited in the tourney when Nashville's teams had to drop out due to an altercation which occurred during the Saratoga- Nashville games Tuesday, Jan. 7 in Nashville.

This gave the Wolverettes a night off, helping them keep fresh legs for the finals.

Prescott made sure Emerson was never in the game as Butler's Bruisers opened with a 15-3 first quarter lead, stretching this to a 29-13 halftime advantage.

By the end of three, the Wolverettes were in control 50-22 with Butler clearing her bench of players to get all some vital playing time.

Culpepper led the assault with 20 points, while Stockton netted 17.

Gulley pulled down 10 rebounds, while Culpepper had nine. Hildebrand had four steals with Hines adding four assists to her stats.

The Wolverettes were eight of 18 from the charity stripe, while Emerson was three of nine.

Bond and Williamson each scored 10 for the Lady 'Bucs.

PRESCOTT 88

DE QUEEN 43

Stepping out of tournament play Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Wolverettes added another win to their conference record as they humiliated De Queen's Lady Leopards 88-43.

The game was closer than the final score indicated as the Wolverette fast break came to life in the third period after a relatively close first half.

In fact, the Lady Leopards led 17-16 at the end of one, with Prescott pulling to a 43-30 lead at the half.

With the shots falling and fast break breaking, the Wolverettes were just too much for De Queen to handle. At the end of three, Prescott held a 65-39 lead.

Hildebrand, Culpepper and Stockton all scored 18 for Prescott, while Gulley sent 11 points through the nylon.

Parson led De Queen with 11.

Culpepper and Gulley did their glass cleaning routine with 12 each, while Stockton yanked down seven boards herself. Culpepper had four steals in the game, with Hildebrand recording six assists. Stockton and Culpepper each had five assists in the contest also.

The domination was completed with the Wolverettes outrebounding De Queen 48-15.

With Prescott's rampage continuing in the SWAR tourney, the Wolverettes record is now 14-2 overall.

They will tangle with Nashville Friday and Saturday (home and home) to make up for a game postponed Nov. 22 while the Scrapper football team was still in the playoffs.

Friday's game will be played at Prescott, while Saturday's will be in Nashville. Gametime Friday is 4:30 p.m.