Lions hold on for two-point victory over rival Pioneers

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Blake Wilkinson (Gentry 5) gets a hand on the ball as Dayten Wishon (Gravette 5) tries for a jumper during the third quarter of the Gentry-Gravette conference basketball contest at Pioneer Gym in Gentry Feb. 2.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Blake Wilkinson (Gentry 5) gets a hand on the ball as Dayten Wishon (Gravette 5) tries for a jumper during the third quarter of the Gentry-Gravette conference basketball contest at Pioneer Gym in Gentry Feb. 2.

GENTRY -- Gentry fans gathered at Pioneer Gym Feb. 2 to watch their favorite senior basketball stars play their final game at home in hopes of victory over one of the team's nemeses, the Gravette Lions. But 45 minutes later, Gentry fans' hopes were dashed when the Lions walked away with a 58-56 victory.

The Lions quickly established control of the contest, building as much as an eight-point lead by the end of the third quarter. The contest, however, would ultimately be decided in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.

The Pioneers were down by six with 36 seconds showing on the clock. A three-point shot by Luke Fox, one of eight for the night, pulled the Pioneers to within three. Gentry managed to get off one more shot for two points, bringing the contest to within one, 56-57.

A late foul on Gentry with less than 10 seconds left sent Gravette's Chris Childress to the line. The first shot missed, bringing the Gentry crowd to its feet. But Pioneer fans' excitement quickly turned to disappointment when Childress' second shot hit its mark, making it a two-point Lions game.

When the clock ran out, the Gravette team began its celebration on the court. However, officials decided that time had not expired and ruled there were .5 seconds remaining, with possession going to the Pioneers. Gentry managed a long inbound pass from midcourt toward its basket, but time expired before the Pioneers could get off a shot. The Gravette Lions defeated the Gentry Pioneers, 58-56.

Gentry Pioneers-Gravette Lions game stats:

Gentry................11 12 12 21 -- 56

Gravette..............14 14 15 15 -- 58

Gentry: Luke Fox-29 (8-3s), Dylan Kilgore-13 (1-3), Casey Bates-7, Logan Linton-4, Ethan Hammond-3.

Gravette: Kelton Trembly-13 (2-3s), Chris Childress-11 (1-3), Dayten Wishon-11, Chace Austin-8, Bailey Soule-6, Colby McCarthey-6, Brayden Trembly-3 (1-3).

Three-point shots: Gentry 9, Gravette 4.

Sports on 02/07/2018