GREENLAND — Gravette’s Lady Lions first quarter against the Greenland Lady Pirates Monday night ended with a 10-10 tie, but a let down by Gravette in the second period which carried over to the third quarter saw the host team taking a 37-21 lead into the final period. It was then the Lady Lions put on a 15-4 scoring burst which almost pulled out the game before finally dropping the 41-36 heartbreaking decision.

Shyanne Nichols found the range as the final period started as she scored 13 of her game-high 16 points to pull the Lions within striking distance as she cut the Pirate lead to 39-33.

Adding to Gravette’s scoring were Kappell and Vanotterloo with 7 apiece, and Meeker, Newell and Britton each added 2.

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Gravette 30 Greenland 27

BOYS - Gravette’s Clayton Alexander hit a pair of free throws with 35 seconds remaining to break a tied game, and Greenland senior Robert Smith missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer as the Lions pulled out the road win 30-27.

Jeremy McGarrah scored a game-high 11 points for Gravette (5-5). Adding to the Lions score was Vanotterloo with 7, Montee with 5, Alexander 4, and Hirsch 3.

“We missed a lot of easy shots. I think they missed some,” Gravette boys basketball coach Dustin Peters said. “It was just a struggle offensively and just a grind.”

The Lions and Lady Lions travel to Elkins Friday night and will play in a tournament at Alma during the Christmas break before resuming its regular schedule January 4 at Ozark.

Sports, Pages 8 on 12/15/2010