Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

GHS Girls Fall In Finals At Tourney

Two old foes met in the finals of the Southwest Arkansas Senior Invitational Tournament Saturday in Saratoga.

Tourney officials couldn't have scheduled a better contest for the fans had they tried.

The old rivals were Gurdon's Lady Go-Devils and the Prescott Wolverettes.

While there was no quit in the Lady Devils, they didn't have the legs after playing the previous two nights to make it to the finals.

The Lady Devils pounded host Saratoga Thursday, Jan. 8, and had to get by Bright Star Friday night before taking the court against Prescott Saturday evening.

Prescott, on the other hand, had Wednesday night off after Nashville had to pull out of the tournament because of an altercation Tuesday night in a regular season game against Saratoga.

Needless to say, when Gurdon and Prescott hit the floor, the fans were in for a treat.

The Lady Devils and Wolverettes squared off like two heavyweight boxers, each familiar with the other. There were no surprises as the squads stood toe-to-toe and battled to the bitter end.

However, the outcome wasn't what Devil fans wanted as the hated Wolverettes won 61-50.

Prescott tried to put the game away early as the Wolverettes built a 13-7 lead with less than a minute left in the first before Tameka Hatley connected with a trey and the Lady Devils hit one of two free throws to make the score 13-11 at the end of one.

However, fatigue started setting in during the second period as the Wolverettes were able to pull away in the second period, primarily by packing in the lane, forcing the Lady Devils to shoot outside their 3-2 zone. At the end of two, Prescott led 34-26.

The two teams played fairly even in the third stanza, which ended with Gurdon trailing 49-36.

Those who packed the gymnasium, and it was literally packed, saw a great final game with these two squads. The crowds overflowed from the stands, with people standing along the baseline of the home goal and sidelines of the court. Those who were unable to get inside filled the lobby and blocked the doors to watch the game.

Hatley led Gurdon's attack with 18 points.

Stacy Stockton ripped the cords to lead all scorers with 20 for Prescott, and was a perfect six of six at the free throw line. Gladies Gulley played string music to the tune of 18 points, going nine of 10 from the field. Laura Culpepper scored 10.

The Lady Devils outside attack wasn't bad as Gurdon connected on five three pointers.

Free throws again hurt the Lady Devils as they were below .500 at five of 12 from the stripe. Prescott, however, was a perfect eight of eight.

Tourney officials originally announced the trophy presentation ceremonies would be held at the end of the boy's game. However, they changed this to let the girls teams leave (if they wanted to) and awarded the trophies at the end of the third quarter.

This did not please the capacity crowd as the Saratoga Bulldogs and Emerson Pirates were in the middle of a hard-fought close contest. The Pirates were able to post an upset 53-50 win to take the boys crown.

GURDON 57

SARATOGA 37

For 16 minutes, the Lady Bulldogs were able to play with Gurdon's senior girls.

However, the Lady Devils responded in the second half to post a 20-point win and earn a date with Prescott in the finals of the SWAR tourney with a 57-37 final score.

The five-player Lady 'Dog bench made Gurdon earn every point in the first eight minutes as the Lady Devils were only able to post an 11-9 lead after one.

The second period mirrored the first with Gurdon fighting tooth-and-nail for each basket as the Lady Devils took a needed rest at the half leading 29-25.

However, fresher legs and a deeper bench begin taking its toll in the third quarter as Gurdon was able to distance itself from Saratoga at 48-31.

Alecia Clayborn led the attack with 17 points, while Wanda Cornish contributed 13 in the victory. Lavonda Young netted 12 in the win.

S. Vaughn paced Saratoga with 12 points. S. Walker and C. Vaughn scored nine each.

The Lady Devils were able to convert five of 14 free throws, while the Lady 'Dogs were nine of 15.

GURDON 66

DELIGHT 37

On Saturday afternoon, Jan. 4, the Lady Devils whipped Delight 66-37 in the opening game of the SWAR tourney.

Delight never had a chance as the Lady Devils opened with a 17-6 first quarter lead, stretching this to 37-27 by the half. At the end of three, Gurdon led 49-28.

L. Young led Gurdon with 16 points, with Clayborn contributing 13 and Hatley stringing together a 15-point outing.

T. Hunter paced Delight with 13.

The Lady Devils were 13 of 27 at the free throw line, while the Lady 'Dogs were 10 of 18.

GURDON 65

SMACKOVER 23

While the Gurdon senior boys had the Christmas holidays off, the Lady Devils were involved in the Prescott Classic, splitting two games.

Game two featured the Lady Devils and Smackover's Lady Buckaroos, with Gurdon taming the Lady Bucks 65-23.

The contest was over early, for all intents and purposes as Gurdon opened 17-4 in the first period, administering another staggering blow in the second quarter with the score 25-12 at the half.

By the end of the third, the Lady Bucks were on the ropes 43-20, with the knockout coming in the final eight minutes.

Clayborn scorched the nets for 24 to lead all scorers.

Smackover was led by Tisha Floyd's 11.

The Lady Devils didn't need to shoot free throws well in the game, which was good as they were six of 21. Smackover was even worse at five of 26.

GURDON 50

LAKESIDE 51 OT

Neither team appeared to want a victory in the opening round of the Prescott Classic, as mental mistakes were evident on both sides.

However, Lakeside's Lady Rams were able to post a 51-50 overtime win over Gurdon when all was said and done.

Lakeside opened well, taking a 13-9 lead at the end of one, building this to a 29-23 halftime advantage. Gurdon's Lady Devils found themselves further in the hold at the end of three as the Lady Rams had pulled ahead 41-31.

However, the Lady Devils came to life in the fourth quarter as they outscored Lakeside 16-4 to tie the game at 47-47 as regulation play ended.

Scoring was minimal in the overtime period, but Lakeside did just enough to win the game.

Clayborn led all scorers with 21 for Gurdon, while Hatley added 10.

T. Genac paved the way for Lakeside with 16. J. Freyman followed with 12, while the duo of M. Mooney and C. Mitchell scored 10 each.

Had either team shot free throws well, the game could have ended in regulation time. Gurdon's Lady Devils were 10 of 24 from the charity stripe, while the Lady Rams were barely able to hit eight of 27 shots.

GURDON 59

GENOA CENTRAL 51

Gurdon's senior boys had all they could handle with the Dragons o