GRAVETTE -- Coming off a big homecoming victory against the long-time rival Gentry Pioneers on Jan. 7 in Gravette, the Gravette Lion varsity basketball team squared off against the Shiloh Christian Saints in another conference showdown on Jan. 11. And, just when it looked as though the Saints, mounting an early fourth-quarter run, were cutting into the lead, the Lions mounted a run of their own and effectively shut down any hope for a Saints' win.
For the first two minutes of the opening quarter, both Shiloh and Gravette had a hard time getting anything to drop through the net until the Saints' Kahlil Mosley hit a layup for the first two points of the contest. Thirty seconds later, Gunner Woolard broke the ice with a field goal and put Gravette on the scoreboard. After JC Phillip hit a layup, the Saints regained the lead by two.
Shiloh would not score again until the two-minute mark, allowing the Lions to build a 10-4 lead. Shiloh scored three more field goals in the closing minutes of the first quarter to tie the Lions at 10-all going into the next eight minutes.
The Lions held the Saint offense to single digits (9) in the second quarter while continuing to build their lead. By the end of the first half, the Lions led the Saints, 25-19.
While the Saints' offense picked up the pace in the second half, it was not enough to ward off the Lions' strong offensive game plan. The Lions took the conference win, 56-41, over the Saints.
The Lions had seven players contributing to the scoring drive, including two players in double figures. Michael Duke led the way with 15 points, followed by Gunner Woolard with 13. Rounding out the list of Gravette scorers were Brady Hunt and Brooke West, each with seven; Sandeep Dhillon and Gabe Edgmon, each with six points; and Dakota Sizemore with two.
On the Shiloh Christian side, Brodie Neal led the way with 21 points, followed by JC Phillip with nine, Josh Burt and Kahlil Mosley with four each and Ben Holler with three.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS
Lion Gabe Edgmon (10) attempts a layup but is fouled by Saint defender JC Phillips (30) during the second quarter contest between the Gravette Lions and Shiloh Christian Saints at the Lions' Den Jan. 11. The Lions defeated the Saints 56-41 for the conference win.
Westside Eagle Observer.MIKE ECKELS
Sandeep Dhillon (3) attempts a three pointer from just outside the three point line during the third quarter of the Gravette-Shiloh Christian varsity contest at the Lions' Den in Gravette Jan. 11. Dhillon missed this shot but hit a three pointer and a free throw in the second quarter and a field goal in the third for a total of six points for the contest.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS
After a collision under the basket, Michael Duke (Lions 5) can only watch as his shooting attempts lands in the net for two points during the final quarter of the Gravette-Shiloh Christian conference basketball contest in Gravette Jan. 11. Making this shot contributed to Duke leading the Lions with 15 points for the all important conference win 56-41 over Shiloh.