Wolverines hand Lions first loss in new gym

GRAVETTE -- Fans began to stream into the new Gravette High School gym about 4:45 p.m. for a night of boys basketball. Included in the night's events were the Lion seventh grade and junior varsity teams, followed by the opening contest of the 2020-21 varsity boys' season. By the end of the night, however, Lion fans faced disappointment as all three teams fell to the Bentonville West Wolverines.

A three-point shot by the Wolverines kicked the contest off. Johnny Dunfee was fouled soon after, sending him to the line for a pair of free throws. Dunfee hit both shots, putting the Lions on the scoreboard for the first time. For the next three minutes of the first quarter, Bentonville West went on an 11 point run, building a 13 point lead. With just over three minutes left, a three-pointer finally broke the cold streak for the Lions. By the end of the quarter, the Wolverines held a seven-point lead over the Lions.

During the first four minutes of the second quarter, the Lions began to play catch up, pulling to within two points of the Wolverines. With 1:22 left in the first half, the Lions tied the contest at 27. With 30 seconds left, a two-pointer by Bentonville West put the team ahead 29-27. With 15 seconds left in the quarter, the Lions put up a field goal to tie the contest. Gravette and Bentonville West went into the halftime break tied at 29 all.

The Wolverines began pulling away from the Lions after the break and, by the end of the third quarter, held an 11 point lead. The Bentonville West Wolverines put the contest away for good, outscoring the Gravette Lions, 18 to 11, to claim the victory, 69-53.

Two Gravette Lions were in double figures for the night. Leading the way was Johnny Dunfee with 20, followed by Dakota Sizemore with 10. Other Lions contributing to the scoring effort included Tristen Batie with nine, Brody Hunt with six, Gabe Edgeman and Michael Duke, each with two.

In the seventh grade contest, the Wolverines took the win, 49 to 43. Bentonville West also took the junior varsity contest as well, 57-26.

Westside Eagle Oberserver/MIKE ECKELS After encountering a gang of Wolverines, Dakota Sizemore (center left) slips the past one of the defenders and passes off to one of his team mates during the Nov. 12 Gravette-Bentonville West varsity contest in new gym at Gravette High School.

Westside Eagle Oberserver/MIKE ECKELS Tristen Batie (Gravette 15) slips past Tucker Anderson (Wolverine 33) on his way to the basket for a layup and two points during the fourth quarter of the Gravette-Bentonville West varsity boys' basketball game in the new gym at Gravette High School Nov. 12. Batie contributed nine points to the Lions 63-59 lost to the Wolverines.

Westside Eagle Oberserver/MIKE ECKELS With Lion defender Tristen Batie (15) blocking his way, Wolverine Riley Buccino (12) runs over Johnny Dunfee (22) knocking him to the court during the first quarter of the Nov. 12 Gravette-Bentonville West basketball contest in Gravette. Because Dunfee was set in place when he was knocked down, Buccion drew a charging foul and the ball went to the Lions.