GRAVETTE -- The Rogers Mounties came to Gravette expecting to bag a Lion but instead went home battered and bruised as the Gravette Lions opened their 2016-17 season with a victory at Lion Field House on Nov. 17.
From the opening tip- off, it became apparent that this was going to be a fast-paced matchup as both Gravette and Rogers jockeyed to put the first points on the scoreboard. With only one minute elapsed on the clock in the first quarter, the Lions put the first two points on the scoreboard. The Mounties quickly followed with a free throw and a two-point shot to take the lead. This lead was short lived and Gravette took control of the game quickly, adding 10 points in the later stages of the first quarter, making it a 12-7 game.
But the Mounties were not going down without a fight. They managed to keep pace with the Lions and came to within four points by halftime.
After the break, the Lions maintained a two point margin throughout much of the third quarter. With one minute in the quarter. Rogers hit a three-point shot to take the lead. Not to be outdone by the Mounties, the Lions hit their own three-point shot at the buzzer, regaining the lead by two going into the final quarter of the game.
Gravette maintained a four point lead over Rogers through much of the quarter, but the game would be decided in the final 18.6 seconds when a two-point shot by Rogers moved them to within two. As soon as the Lions moved the ball past half court, the Mounties fouled, sending Kelton Trembly to the line for two. Trembly missed his first attempt but hit the second, giving the Lions a three-point edge. The Mounties moved the ball quickly down court, trying to set up a three-pointer. The attempt bounded off the rim and into the hand of the Lions. With the clock winding down, the Mounties fouled Trembly once again. This time, he hit both shots, putting the game out of reach for Rogers with only five seconds left. Gravette intercepted the ball and made a quick pass to Andrew Miller, who made the final two points at the buzzer and put the icing on the cake as the Gravette Lions took their first victory of the 2016-17 basketball season, 57 to 49.
With this victory, Matt Busch established himself as the new head coach for the boys' basketball program. The changes Busch made to the program translated into 40 minutes of non-stop action that kept the near-capacity crowd on their feet. If this game is any indication of what the season holds for the Lions, a title may be awaiting them by season's end.
The Gravette Lions junior boys and varsity boys will head south Nov. 29 to take on the Greenland Pirates. Junior game begins at 4 p.m., with the senior varsity at 7 p.m.
Sports on 11/23/2016