Lady Pioneers win by one over Lady Lions

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Chastery Fuamatu (Pioneers 25) attempts a layup from inside the lane while Tori Foster (Gravette 22) tries to block during the Lady Pioneers-Lady Lions basketball contest in Gentry Feb. 2.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Chastery Fuamatu (Pioneers 25) attempts a layup from inside the lane while Tori Foster (Gravette 22) tries to block during the Lady Pioneers-Lady Lions basketball contest in Gentry Feb. 2.

GENTRY -- It was senior night at Pioneer Gym in Gentry as family, friends and Pioneer fans gathered to watch their favorite seniors play before a home crowd one final time.

The Lady Pioneers' opponent for the Feb. 2 contest was none other than their old rivals, the Gravette Lady Lions. Fans on both sides of the bleachers got what they paid for because this contest would be decided in the final seconds with the victory going to the Lady Pioneers.

The Lady Lions held an 11 point lead in the first half of the contest. The Lady Pioneers tried to play catch-up in the third quarter, but a strong Gravette offense led by Kyrstin Branscum, Gabbi Curtis and Shylee Morrison kept the Lady Lions ahead of 'Gentry going into the final quarter of play.

Shortly after the final eight minutes got underway, the Lady Pioneers' defense kicked in and held Gravette to only five points for the remainder of the contest. With six seconds showing on the clock and the Lady Lions holding a 52-51 lead, the Lady Pioneers moved the ball downcourt and hit a two-point bucket with a second left to defeat the Lady Lions, 53-52.

Gentry-Gravette game stats:

Gentry...........................12^10^16^15^_^53

Gravette......................... 7^26^14^5^_^52

Gentry: Chastery Fuamatu-18, Haley Hays-14 (3-3s), Kya DeZurick-6 (2-3s), Hannah Boss-6, Ariel Nix-5 (1-3), Madison Ward-3, Ahrya Reding-1.

Gravette: Kyrstin Branscum-13, Gabbi Curtis-12 (1-3), Shylee Morrison-10 (1-3), Jessica Bookout-6, Cally Kildow-6 (1-3), Tori Foster-3 (1-3), Bernice Garcia-2.

Three-point shots: Gentry 6, Gravette 5.

Sports on 02/07/2018