Gentry closes with 12-0 run in semifinal win
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
GENTRY ó The Gentry Lady Pioneers (2-0 ) closed out the game on a 12-0 run and pulled away to a 44-34 victory against Elkins (1-1 ) in the semifinals of the Pioneer Tip-Off Classic on Thursday night at Gentry High School.
Terra Jones led Gentry with 11 points. Carol Casebeer chipped in with 8 points. The Lady Pioneers advanced to play Charleston in the finals on Saturday night.
Gentry played from behind for most of the night and head coach Tim Rippy described the win as an early season wake-up call for his team.
ì I am glad that we came back but I am not very happy with the way we played, î he said. ì We werenít very sharp. They shot the ball horrible. It was a sharp contrast from our first ballgame. î
The Lady Pioneers took their first lead when Brittany James sank two free throws with 4: 53 left for a 32-31 advantage. Elkins answered with a threepointer before Gentry sealed its second victory with 12 consecutive points.
Gentry put the pressure on the Lady Elks early. In the first quarter the Lady Pioneers drove into the lane on almost every possession and forced eight team fouls by Elkins. Still, the Lady Elks broke out to an 11-7 lead behind seven points by Madi Grube.
Gentry went to a full-court press and outscored Elkins 6-0 in the final two minutes of the first half to close within 18-16.
Elkins started the third quarter with a 7-0 run but Gentry answered with a 9-0 run to tie the game at 25 on a layup by Courtney Millsap. Mandie Keith answered with a 3-pointer and Elkins took a 28-27 lead into the fourth.
Grube scored 12 points and Keith had 11 for the Lady Elks. Pioneers 51 Wolves 26
Gentry opened the game with a 14-0 run and never looked back en route to an easy win Thursday in the boysí division semifinals against Lincoln. The Pioneers (2-0 ) played Elkins (1-0 ) in the finals Saturday night.
ì We are really excited to go the finals, î said Gentry coach Conlan Efurd. ì We have two games under our belt and we are getting a lot of experience this week. We are looking forward to playing on Saturday night. î
Gentry senior forward Keeven Allen ended the first quarter with a long 3-pointer at the buzzer to give his team a 17-3 lead and Gentry built a commanding 31-8 advantage at the half.
ì I was really pleased with our defensive play, î said Efurd. ì I thought we did a really good job of keeping them from getting a lot of good looks. We were lucky they did miss a few when they did get a look. î
Leading Gentry in scoring were Allen and sophomore Kevin Scherer who both finished with 14 points. All of Allenís points came in the first half.
ì Keeven (Allen ) is a good player, î Efurd said. ì He had a game-busting game two nights ago when he scored 32. He was a little frustrated he didnít get up that high but he is a great player and a good athlete. î
Gentry forced a running clock when Scherer scored to make the score 49-18 entering the fourth quarter. Championship games
The Gentry basketball teams both won their home tournament championship games on Saturday.
The Lady Pioneers (3-0 ) beat Charleston 54 48 in the Pioneer Tip-Off Classic title game while the Pioneers (3-0 ) held off Elkins.
Sophomore Terra Jones led the Lady Pioneers with 24 points in what coach Tim Rippy called a quality win.
ì It was a great ballgame, î he said. ì I felt like our transition was the difference in the game. We were able to push the ball late in the third quarter and the fourth quarter and built up a lead. î The Lady Pioneers, who trailed 23-19 at halftime, had more depth and were able to run the floor late in the game. They hit open jump shots and layups in the up-tempo game.
Completing the weekís worth of games with a title was a big step for the young Lady Pioneers, Rippy said. ì I knew we would really have to play well to have a chance against Charleston, î he said. ì I was glad to see that this early in the season. Weíre farther along than I thought we were. î
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online