Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wolverettes Defeat Gurdon In 7AA Tournament

Prescott's Wolverettes had to play three games in the 7AA District Tournament.

The first two games were to get to the finals and a date with the Lady Go-Devils of Gurdon.

Twice in regular season the Lady Devils had thwarted the Wolverettes.

Twice Donald Williams' team had posted narrow wins over Cecily Butler's crew.

Butler and the Wolverettes were determined this would not be the case three times in one season.

It wasn't as the Wolverettes are the 7AA District Champions after a satisfying win over their arch-rivals from Gurdon.

But, Prescott had its hands full in the first three periods with Gurdon's senior squad before coming alive offensively in the final eight minutes to post a 60-45 win.

The final score was deceiving as Gurdon led much of the way in the game.

Prescott opened well in the first period, taking a 13-8 lead.

Then the rains fell. Gurdon's Lady Devils began pouring three-pointers in from all points beyond the arc.

The Lady Devils built a double-digit lead in the second period before Prescott cut it to eight at 29-21.

The outcome remained in doubt during the first four minutes of the third quarter as Gurdon, once again, pushed the lead to double figures.

Fresh legs, fresh blood and a freshman player turned the tide for the Wolverettes as Stacy Stockton entered the contest with four minutes left in the third.

At the time, the Wolverettes hadn't scored in two minutes.

Stockton came in, drove the baseline and opened up the lanes for Ashlea Stewart, Gladies Gulley and Laura Culpepper.

In addition, Butler called for her team to press Gurdon. Press the Wolverettes did as they forced the Lady Devils into a number of turnovers, especially in the fourth period.

But Gurdon clung to the lead 36-31 at the end of three before turnovers began to plague the team.

These turnovers were converted into points as Prescott poured in 29 in the last eight minutes. Most of these points came off fast breaks and layups.

Gulley led the Wolverettes with 14 points in the contest, while Stewart and Stockton contributed 13 each. Culpepper and Jessica Hildebrand netted six apiece, while Leslie Hines canned five. Lori Burke, coming in late, added the final two.

Gulley also pulled down nine boards, as did Culpepper. Stewart cleaned the glass for six rebounds.

The Wolverettes were 15 of 25 from the free throw line, while Gurdon connected on five of 17 attempts.

Prescott also outrebounded the Lady Devils 35 to 19.

However, the Lady Devils sank eight of 29 three-point attempts. They had a problem shooting the deuce as well, only hitting eight of 29 shots.

"Our press made the difference," Butler said. "We got turnovers off it.

"They covered our outside shooters and sagged inside. Hildebrand wasn't hitting. Hines is a finesse shooter and Stewart was double teamed."

Stockton, Butler continued, was put in the game to penetrate and take the rock to the hole. This she did.

"She took it to the gaps," Butler said of her freshman player. "She put two (Lady Devils) on the bench with fouls.

"This avenged our two losses. The girls were thrilled."

Now, Prescott moves to the regional tournament in Star City. They have an opening round date with McGehee Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Butler said McGehee isn't big, but has good outside shooters and are quick. The Lady Owls also utilize a 1-3-1 defense.

The Wolverettes opened tourney action with a 39-20 win over Stamps.

This contest was dominated by the Prescott crew from start to finish despite the low score.

The Wolverettes opened with a 14-8 lead, were up 27-10 at the break, and led 31-10 after three as they shut down the Lady Yellowjacket offense in the third period.

Culpepper led the way with 13 points, while Gulley netted 10, and pulled down 18 boards. Hildebrand recorded five steals in the contest.

Stamps had three players with four points each.

The Wolverettes outrebounded Stamps 35-10 in the contest.

Prescott connected on 11 of 20 free throws, while Stamps was 0 for 2.

Butler said she cleared her bench with the exception of her freshmen players.

The second game, played Feb. 16, saw the Wolverettes maul DeQueen 62-40 enroute to their date with Gurdon.

The Woleverettes opened the contest with a 17-14 lead and held a 31-27 advantage at the half.

However, the Prescott defense held a striking resemblance to the old Pittsburgh Steeler "Steel Curtain" as only 13 points were scored against it in the second half.

Gulley had the hot hand offensively with 22 points, in addition to 10 rebounds. Stewart stroked the nets for 18, with a dozen boards and a three pointer. Hildebrand and Hines each had treys in the game. Hines also had eight rebounds and three steals.

Parrish led the Lady Leopards with 15 points.

"This was the best game we've played all year," Butler said. "Our press ate them alive. We did everything right."

This win propelled Prescott to the district finals against Gurdon, with the Wolverettes bringing home the district title.