Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Dynamic Duo Being Courted Already

Two of Prescott's basketball players are getting some serious attention.

Coaches at Henderson State University, Arkansas State University, Southern Arkansas University and the University of Arkansas know about them.

The Arkansas Athletic Union Mavericks have asked these two players to try out for their summer program. The Mavericks won the state AAU last year and were ranked ninth in the nation.

The amazing thing about this is neither player is in senior high school yet.

Stacy Stockton, a freshman, and Traci Graham, an eighth grader in Prescott Middle School, have proven to be an unbeatable combination on the hardwood.

Stockton is in her second year on the junior team. She averages 19.8 points per game, five steals and seven rebounds in the 17 games she's played in this season.

Graham, playing in 15 games as point guard, has averaged 15.8 points per game, four assists and four boards every time out.

She, too, is in her second year with the Cubettes.

And, neither girl is a slouch at the charity stripe. Stockton has a 70 percent average, while Graham sinks 58 percent from the line.

The field is no different, as Stockton connects on 65 percent of her shots, while Graham stokes the nylon for 50 percent of her shots.

Needless to say, the pair can also shoot from downtown when they have to. Stockton has hit six threes during the season, while Graham has netted seven from long range.

According to Coach Cecily Butler, Stockton can do it all on the floor. In fact, she's played every position except point guard -- Graham's realm.

"She's strong driving the lanes, limber and exceptional under the basket," Butler said of Stockton. "She reads defenses well."

Butler said Stockton doesn't have a quick first step but has the determination to beat anyone fronting her. "She's determined to win an take it to the hole. Two on one is not a challenge to her."

But Graham is of the same mindset. Winning is everything. Second isn't worth bothering with.

"These are the two strongest competitors I've ever dealt with," Butler said. "Graham came in with the same fire in her eye. They're both blood and gut players. I've never seen two girls with hearts like theirs."

Butler said while many girls who have talent don't have a good work ethic, these two are just the opposite. They have to be forced away from the court.

But, she said, their fire doesn't only apply to basketball, it shows in everything they do.

"They're top students, class favorites and all around good kids," Butler said. "They're never late or miss practice.

"These kids are a coaches dream to have, and I consider myself lucky to have them."

Butler said she's never seen a player Graham's age able to handle the ball the way she does.

When Butler took over as head coach of the girl's teams, Graham had been moved up to the junior team from the seventh grade squad.

Butler asked why and Graham had no answer. Butler learned the reason when she saw Graham handle the ball during drills, as she dribbled downcourt between her legs and lay the ball in the basket with a finger roll.

"She's a natural at the game," Butler said.

But it's highly unusual for college coaches to notice players on junior teams. This case, however, is the exception to the rule.

Butler said the coaches at HSU and ASU know Stacy and Traci by their first names and are watching their progress through the ranks.

The tandem will probably go to a basketball camp at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville this summer to help sharpen their already considerable skills.

While the two are good friends, their personalities are as different as oil and water, Butler said.

Stockton is the quiet one of the two, a country girl raised on the farm knowing how to work.

Graham grew up in town and has been where people played basketball on the streets.

While Stockton works to please other people, Graham pushes to please herself.

According to Butler, Graham is the team's cheerleader and an overachiever.

"Both are intense players in all sports," Butler said of her two stars. "They feel they must win."

To show this point, Butler said Graham and Stockton are on the two mile relay track team. Because of their determination and drive, they helped set an overall school record while in junior high.

"Second place isn't good enough," Butler said. "It's all or nothing."

She said the pair watch basketball on television, especially the Chicago Bulls in the National Basketball Association, and the Arkansas Razorbacks. "They're basketball minded," Butler said, "and go to camps all the time."

Graham is the floor general, according to Butler. She's the one who pushes the other girls on the team to work harder.

"Graham sees the game well," Butler said. "She's an intelligent point guard who sees what needs to be done on the floor.

"Stockton sees the hole better than anyone I've ever seen.

"Together they've pushed the other girls to make big strides to keep up. The more the others have played, the better they've gotten.

"Because of Traci and Stacy, they've been forced to step up and come through."

Butler said when these two are seniors, she believes they will have their choice of major colleges to attend on either an academic or athletic scholarship.

Oh, on another interesting note. The statistics these two players put up are not for entire games. Because the Cubettes tend to win by 20 or so points per game, Graham and Stockton rarely play more than two quarters in any contest.

This also makes Coach Butler's job much easier and more pleasant.