Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Devils Enjoy Feast Of Nevada Bluejays

Gurdon's Lady Devils introduced themselves to their new conference with a 77-51 win over 7-A Central power Nevada Tuesday, Dec. 10.

There were no doubts left as to Gurdon's intentions in this conference. The Lady Devils plan to dominate this division just like they did the 7AA until they were moved by the Arkansas Activities Association last year.

The Lady Devils jumped all over the Lady Jays from the opening tip until the closing buzzer. Gurdon powered its way to a 22-4 lead at the end of one as the near impenetrable defense almost shut out the Lady Jays.

The second period was no better as the Lady Devils offensive attack proved to be very offensive to Nevada. At the half, Gurdon held a commanding 42-17 advantage.

Period three was a repeat of the first and second quarters as the Lady Devils simply did not let up on Nevada in any way shape or form. When the game was three-fourths over, the Lady Jays were reeling 66-29.

Gurdon Coach Donald Williams called his team off and cleared the bench to allow all of his players to get some minutes in the final period.

Alicia Clayborn and Wanda Cornish paced Gurdon with 16 points each, while Lavonda Young added 14. D. Jones added 10 in the win.

Delisha Easter and Anita Loudermill led Nevada with 15 each.

The Lady Devils took advantage of their trips to the free throw line as they converted 19 of 28 attempts. Nevada shot slightly better than 50 percent, netting 13 of 24 shots.

GURDON 61

NEVADA 51

Nevada's senior boys played a closer game than did their female counterparts, but fared no better as they were cooked 61-51.

John Ware's team basically ran the legs off the Jays with his up-tempo style of play.

Gurdon opened with a 10-8 lead after one period of play, and held a 24-16 advantage at the halftime intermission.

Fatigue started to show in the Nevada legs in the third period as the Devils put the margin at 14 with a 47-33 lead, and cruised in the final stanza.

Corey Marsh paved the way for the Gurdon thrashing with 21 points, while Eric Hatley ripped the cords for 14.

Joseph Young was Nevada's leading scorer with 15 points. Eric Murphy and Julius Gulley each netted 13.

Gurdon was near perfect at the free throw line as the Devils nailed 14 of 15 attempts. Nevada was a woeful six of 13 from the stripe.

GURDON 45

NEVADA 36

Gurdon's junior girls opened play on the night, and starting the sweep against Nevada, with a 45-36 win.

Surprisingly, the Lady Jays took an early lead at 8-7 after one period, but found out they were in for a long night as the Lady Devils rallied and responded strongly in the second six minutes to go ahead 18-14.

Gurdon administered what amounted to the knockout punch in the third with a 14-8 quarter and pushing their lead to 32-22.

Vonda Young led the way for the Gurdon win with 12 points, while B. Escalante added 10.

S. Henry led all scorers in the game with 16, while P. Young netted 11.

Neither team did great from the line as both shot 33 percent. Gurdon was three of 10, while Nevada converted six of 18.

GURDON 59

BEARDEN 58

Gurdon's senior boys managed an opening round win in the Fordyce Tournament with a 59-58 win over Bearden.

Both squads stood toe to toe, battling for every point and making sure the other paid for each one scored.

The Devils opened with a 10-7 lead in the first period, and maintained a 28-24 halftime advantage.

But Bearden rallied in the third period to pull ahead by one at 43-42. It took everything Gurdon had in the final frame to pull off the victory.

Again, Marsh was the leading scorer for the Devils with 19 points. Hatley followed by tossing in 16, while Marcus Wright scored 10, including two from long-range.

C. Lacy led Bearden with 20, while C. Hughes added 10.

The Devils were able to knock down eight of 18 free throws, while Bearden canned nine of 14.

GURDON 60

FORDYCE 71

The Devils found out what others learned the hard way when they tangled with tourney host Fordyce.

The Redbugs are for real.

Gurdon fought hard, but was unable to withstand the biting 'Bugs as they posted a 71-60 win.

The 'Bugs swarmed the goal early as they took a 20-8 first quarter lead, pushing it to a 37-20 halftime score.

The Devils attempted to come back in the second half, as they cut the lead to 13 at 51-38.

Marsh still had the hot hand as he scorched the nets for 21. Wright continued his bombing runs from three-point land as he sent 18 points through the nylon, four from downtown. Hatley was the third Devil in double-figures as he scored 10.

Williams led all scorers with 27 points for Fordyce. Brazil netted 14, Grandy added 12 and Sledge scored 10.

Both teams hit seven free throws, but Gurdon had 15 tries, while Fordyce had 14 shots.

GURDON 44

PRESCOTT 47

Gurdon's junior girls had a hard-fought battle against the Cubettes of Prescott, but fell 47-44 Thursday, Dec. 12.

The Lady Devils actually won the first three periods, but lost the fourth quarter by enough to cost them the game.

The Lady Devils opened with an 11-10 lead, stretching it somewhat to a 19-16 margin at the half.

By the end of the third period, Gurdon led 37-32, but was outscored 15-7 in the final six minutes.

Tiffany Ware paced Gurdon with 11 points in the contest.

Prescott was led by Traci Graham's game-high 20, while Denisha Williamson added 13, including a trio of three pointers.

The Cubettes were nine of 25 in free throws, while Gurdon was three of nine.