GRAVETTE — West Fork had problems getting going during a foulplagued first half, but the Tigers had no trouble in the second half Monday night. West Fork opened the second half with a 20-3 run and rolled to a 69-41 victory over Gravette in boys nonconference basketball.
The Tigers (3-0) held Gravette to just one field goal in the third quarter as they took control. But that came after they struggled with foul trouble throughout the first two quarters as all five starters finished the half with three each - and a sixth had four.
West Fork still led at the half, but by only 10 at 38-28. Gravette (0-3) still didn’t take full advantage, though, making just 13 of 33 free throws in the first half. West Fork was not a lot better, making only 12 of 23.
Tigers coach David Ferrell had trouble finding words o describe the game but he was happy to come away with the win.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been a part of one like that,” Ferrell said. “What do you say?”
Gravette coach Dustin Peters said his team just couldn’t take advantage of its opportunities.
“We had them in foul trouble and had them in bad situations,” Peters said. “We just couldn’t capitalize.”
Nick Hendren was the Lions’ lone player in double figures with 17 points. O’Brien and Daniels each had 7 points, McGarrah 4, Doublehead 3, Westrick 2 and Bilderback 1.
Gravette 45 - WF 39
The Lady Lions held the Lady Tigers scoreless for the final 4 minutes, 9 seconds to hold on for the victory. West Fork (0-5) pulled within 42-39 on Melissa Jones’ inside basket but it didn’t score again.
Shelby Newell and Jacy Alsup scored nine points each to lead Gravette (1-2). Sarah Sagely led all scorers with 10 for West Fork but she fouled out with 6:42 to play.
Sagely picked up her fourth and fifth fouls within 10 seconds of each other. Jones added nine.
Gravette controlled the game early, pushing its lead to as many as 14 in the second quarter, and settled for a 28-17 halftime lead.
West Fork used an 8-0 run to start the second half and get back in the game.
Adding to the Lady Lions scoring were Himsl with 8, Detring with 7, Vanotterloo 6 and Waldrip and Bayley 2 each.
Next On Schedule
The Berryville Bobcats will invade Lion Fieldhouse next Tuesday night. A J-V game at 5:30 will precede the varsity games and the Benton County Tournament will be held at Siloam Springs all next week.
Sports, Pages 10 on 11/25/2009