Gentry turns over games to Lincoln, Farmington

Gentry sophomore Jordan Olds attempts a layup in play against Farmington on Thursday.

Gentry sophomore Jordan Olds attempts a layup in play against Farmington on Thursday.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

— Gentry’s defensive game plan against Farmington was obvious from the start. Make Lexie Lewis a nonfactor.

Though Lewis responded in the second half, the Lady Pioneers managed to limit her in the first quarter, forcing the college-bound player into foul trouble. That’s when Breanna Jones took over, leading Farmington to a 62-42 victory on Thursday.

Gentry was able to eliminate Farmington in the post during the first quarter, forcing the Lady Cardinals into unwanted outside shots. But when Jones finally got hot, she couldn’t be stopped, producing a game-high 15 points.

“Breanna really stepped up in the first half when we had to take some outside shots,” Farmington girls basketball coach Brad Johnson said. “We were able to do some good things offensively at the end of the second and beginning of the third quarter.”

Farmington (7-2, 2-0 4A-1) scored 21 points in the second quarter, capped by a half-court bucket at the buzzer by Tiffany Rhame, which ensured all secondhalf momentum remained with the Lady Cardinals.

Things weren’t all on the negative side for Gentry (1-6, 0-1), as Destiny Thomas, Jordan Olds and Tara Arnold - who played through an ankle injury - scored in double figures.

The Lady Pioneers also came close to their goal of only 15 turnovers a game, giving it away 16 times. However, that 16 was twice as many as Farmington, who took advantage at every opportunity.

“This team has struggledwith turnovers,” Gentry coach Tim Rippy said. “Tonight we gave ourselves an opportunity to play and we took care of it enough, but we still had more turnovers than we would have liked.” BOYS

The woes on the basketball court continued for Gentry, falling 71-35 to Farmington in 4A-1 Conference action.

Gentry’s only lead came when the score was 3-0, but from there the Pioneers (0-9, 0-1 4A-1) couldn’t match Farmington (5-5, 1-1) on either side of the floor.

“I thought Matt Brackett set the tone defensively. He can wreak a little havoc in the passing lanes,” Farmington boys coach Beau Thompson said. “I thought we did a good job guarding Gentry’s circle-motion, which took them out of their offense.”

Dusty Haag paced Gentry with 9 points.

Gentry loses to Lincoln

By Paul Boyd [email protected]

GENTRY - Lincoln girls basketball coach Deon Birkes said his team is still trying to find its way this season. The Lady Wolves took a step in the right direction Tuesday night when sophomore Shelby Rowe hit three free throws in the final one minute, 16 seconds to help Lincoln hold off Gentry, 42-38, in nonconference action.

Lincoln led most of the second half, but used a 7-0 fourth-quarter spurt to take a 29-31 lead with 2 minutes, 54 seconds left.

The Lady Wolves took advantage of a couple of Gentry turnovers and turned them into points to take control of the game.

Gentry coach Tim Rippysaid his team’s 27 turnovers proved to be the difference.

“We competed hard, but we’ve got to limit the turnovers,” Rippy said. “I told them if we keep that down to about 15 turnovers, we probably win the ballgame. The thing was some of them were very costly. We turn it over near the top of the key and they turned it into two points on theother end.”

Junior Tara Arnold finished with a game-high 17 points for Gentry (1-5).

Boys Lincoln 51 Gentry 26

The Wolves scored eight of the first 10 points in the second half to take control of a tight game.

Dusty Haag and Dylan Adler led Gentry (0-8) with seven points each.

Sports, Pages 9 on 12/21/2011