Pioneers stop Bobcat attack

Photo by Randy Moll Cole Cripps, Gentry sophomore, got past Tate Ferguson, a Berryville defender, for a shot under the basket during play between the two teams in Gentry on Jan. 27.
Photo by Randy Moll Cole Cripps, Gentry sophomore, got past Tate Ferguson, a Berryville defender, for a shot under the basket during play between the two teams in Gentry on Jan. 27.

GENTRY -- Coach Sean Price's new strategy of playing with a two-team system appears to be working. It certainly surprises Gentry opponents when a whole new squad comes in to substitute and plays a whole new style of game, moving and passing the ball around the court until one of the players finds an opening and breaks for a shot under the goal.

The Gentry boys did that Jan. 27 against Berryville. Though it appeared Berryville had the upper hand early in the first quarter, the tactics of the new squad quickly put the Pioneers back in the game when Cole Cripps broke through the defense to shoot and score under the basket.

And about the time the Berryville defense adjusted, in came the first squad again, with Brent Barker and others sinking the ball from outside the three-point line.

"We have gone to a two-team system," Price said. "Each team does have a little different philosophy. The reason is we feel like we have 10 guys that can contribute to the team. This does make the other team have to plan a little more before they play us," Price added.

The plan worked against Berryville, with Gentry coming back from behind to be within three points at the halftime break and taking the lead before the game ended, defeating a tough Berryville team by a score of 53-47.

Brent Barker led the Pioneers with 25 points, hitting seven three-pointers. Evan Folker had eight.

Against Huntsville on Friday, the Gentry boys lost, 48-26.

GIRLS

Gentry 59

Berryville 37

The Lady Pioneers dominated the Lady Bobcats in the Jan. 27 game at Gentry High School, with three Gentry girls scoring in the double digits by game's end.

Though the Berryville girls struck first, Gentry responded with a pair of two-pointers by junior Haley Borgeteien-James and a three-pointer by Gentry senior Rachel Lawrence. Add to that a pair of deuces and a three-pointer by junior Mallory Morris, and the Lady Pioneers were up, 14-5, by the first buzzer.

The following quarters were more of the same, with the Gentry girls building on their lead and finishing up, 59-37, when the final buzzer sounded.

Morris led the Lady Pioneers in scoring with 18. Borgeteien-James had 15 and Lawrence, 14. Lauren Little had five points.

Morris also led the Gentry girls in rebounds, with seven. Borgeteien-James had six. Lawrence, Little and Olivia Weathers each had four.

The Gentry girls also lost to Huntsville on Friday, but scores and stats were not yet available at press time.

Sports on 02/04/2015