Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott's Wolverettes Enjoy Tournament Trip

For the first time in many years, Prescott's Wolverette basketball team made a trip to the state tournament.

It was an exciting time for the team and their second year coach, Cecily Butler, as they prepared for their journey to Vilonia Thursday, Feb. 29.

The day began with a pep rally in the gym, with the cheerleaders raising the dead spirit of Wolverette basketball. Students in the bleachers roared to revive Wally Wolf, who lay covered in a sheet at midcourt.

Once the assembly ended, it was time for the Wolverettes to board the tourney-bound bus, driven by James Cannon.

Cannon volunteered to drive the bus to the tourney in spite of the fact it cost him a day's pay from his regular bus route. During the trip, he said this is something he enjoys doing and didn't want to miss.

With the team and several cheerleaders on board, Butler informed all there were no planned stops. Lunch was a brown bag affair eaten during the trip.

Actually lunch was eaten, for the most part, before the bus ever left the Prescott High School campus.

The girls were loose and spirited on the ride, listening to music, joking with one another, gossiping about who was dating who, or who was cheating on who and with whom.

Other girls sat quietly, staring out the window, getting ready for the game.

Those who could tried to rest and sleep, including Laura Culpepper and Lori Burke.

For most of the trip, however, Burke provided comic relief to her teammates, dancing, singing and just being herself.

Burke and Culpepper made the mistake of getting into a game of cutthroat UNO with Butler and assistant coach Traci Jones.

Typical rules for the game went by the wayside as it was every player for themselves.

Those on board received an unexpected break as Cannon stopped at Brown's Country Kitchen in Benton. The stop was made because the trip was taking much less time than expected.

This allowed the team to get out, walk around, stretch and buy more goodies for the trip.

Once the bus bypassed downtown Little Rock on Interstate 430, some of the girls began putting on their game faces. Stacy Stockton, who uncharacteristically joked around with Ashlea Stewart, and Stewart became deadly serious.

The look in all eyes changed, though many still joked around and listened to music.

As the bus neared Conway, the noise level subsided somewhat.

When the troupe finally reached Vilonia, the team still had an hour-and-a-half to wait before taking to the court.

School was let out 15 minutes early to free up the parking lot for fans of all teams involved.

The Wolverettes watched Vilonia's Lady Eagles practice. They rested in padded seats on the home side of the court. The visitor's side, though, was also nice, with molded plastic seating.

Vilonia's gym was two-tiered, with a balcony circling the upper level. The second level contained the concession stand and led to classrooms.

The lower level was dedicated to athletics, including the gym, coaches offices, dressing rooms and a weight room.

When game time came, the girls appeared to still be loose and relaxed. However, the Pulaski Academy Lady Bruins fought hard and took the 66-48 victory as the Wolverettes were plagued by turnovers in the first period and went cold in the fourth quarter.

The ride home began in dead quiet.

Most players sat quietly with their heads hung down and eyes filled with tears.

Culpepper stood up and reminded the team they had enjoyed a good year despite the loss and should hold their heads up.

Burke was less than tactful in saying they should have won. She said the Wolverettes were the better of the two teams.

Conway's Bonanza was invaded by the team and many fans who followed the Wolverettes to Vilonia.

A good meal and chance to calm down helped the team for the remainder of the trip.

The players and coaches became more animated, discussed the game and what went wrong. Music played softly in the background. Some talked about spring sports since their basketball season had so abruptly ended.

All, however, agreed on one thing -- losing stinks.

Butler loses only two players, Ashlea Stewart and Lori Burke. All others return.

Talking to Butler Monday morning, the coach said her team is taking a few days away from the court, but will soon return and will be hungry for a return trip to the state tournament.

This time, Butler said, other teams had better beware because she and the Wolverettes will be ready to take it all.