Gentry overpowered by Prairie Grove

Kendra Boyd put the ball up under the basket Friday but was unable to make the shot. She, however, picked up two points at the free-throw line for the Lady Pioneers.
Kendra Boyd put the ball up under the basket Friday but was unable to make the shot. She, however, picked up two points at the free-throw line for the Lady Pioneers.

— rairie Grove girls’ attention to detail paid off as the defending Class 4A state champions rolled to a 54-36 victory over Gentry in 4A-1 Conference action Friday night.

Prairie Grove girls’ coach Kevin Froud credited the defense with setting up a 15-2 run to start the second quarter, helping Prairie Grove (12-6, 3-1) turn a six-point lead into a 30-11 cushion midway in the period.

“I watched that (Shiloh) game again, and we didn’t have a good game defensively,” he said. “That’s something we stressed during practice Wednesday and Thursday, and our defense had a lot to do with that good run. This was more our style of game. We aren’t that big of a team, so we need to play a fastpaced game.”

Prairie Grove limited Gentry (11-4, 1-2) to just two Kendra Boyd free throws during the first four minutes of the second quarter. Meanwhile, Michelle Lumsargis hit a pair of three-pointers, and Courtney Galloway’s threepointer gave the Lady Tigers their 30-11 cushion.

“There was a crucial stretch in the second quarter when we missedback-to-back lay-ups, and Prairie Grove hit backto-back three-pointers,” Gentry coach Tim Rippy said. “That turned what could have been a 6-7 point game into a 13-14 point game.

“We attacked the press and we executed for the most part. We just have to finish stronger and capitalize on those opportunities. But Prairie Grove shot the ball very well in the first half and deserves a lot of credit,” Rippy said.

Gentry never made a serious challenge in the game as Prairie Grove led 35-18 at half-time and 43-25 through three periods. Galloway opened the fourth quarter with another three-pointer to give the Lady Tigers their biggest lead of the game.

Kendra Coyle led Prairie Grove with 12 points, followed by Galloway with 11. Terra Jones led all scorers with 17, including all nine of Gentry’s first-quarter points.

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Prairie Grove 54 Gentry 44

BOYS - Nathan Eilerts and Jalen Beaks sparked a 10-0 outburst to start the fourth quarter, helping Prairie Grove pull away just enough from Gentry to take the win.

In the second quarter, the Gentry boys made astrong attempt to recover from their 8-14 first-quarter deficit after having the ball stolen away a number of times and being hurt badly by Prairie Grove rebounding. They pretty much held their ground through the third, but Prairie Grove proved too strong.

Elierts and Beaks each had four points during the run, which gave the Tigers (7-5, 3-1) a 47-30 lead after Beeks scored with 4 minutes, 56 remaining in the game.

Beeks had 16 points and Delton Rhodes 15 to lead Prairie Grove.

Kevin Scherer had 17 to pace Gentry (5-9, 0-3), followed by Joe Morris with 13.

Gentry’s Monday games against Shiloh Christian were postponed due to the weather. They were scheduled to travel to Ozark on Tuesday and will host Berryville at home on Friday, with coronation ceremonies scheduled for Gentry.

No information on the coronation ceremonies or queen candidates was made available at press time.

Prairie Grove was to head to Pea Ridge for games Tuesday.

Henry Apple contributed to this report.

Sports, Pages 7 on 01/12/2011