Lions maul Pioneers in 2020 season opener

GRAVETTE — The competition gym in Gravette was overflowing with a sea of orange and black T-shirts Jan. 7 as fans of all ages gathered to cheer on their Lions as they faced their longtime rival Gentry Pioneers in a conference showdown. By the end of the 48-minute contest, Lion fans had plenty to cheer about as the Lions handed the Pioneers their second conference loss of the 2019-20 season, 53-32.

Gentry gained control of the opening tipoff, driving it down the court where Luke Fox tried for a three-point field goal from the left-wing. Fox’s shot bounced off the rim and was recovered by the Lions. Gravette tried for a three-pointer which hit its mark for the first points of the contest. Gentry made its first points on its next possession with a threepointer to tie the contest.

From this point on, the Lions took control of the contest, outscoring the Pioneers, 15-7, to take an eight-point advantage going into the second quarter. Gentry closed the gap to within one halfway into the quarter. A threepoint field goal by the Lions ended the first half with Gravette leading the Pioneers by three.

The Lions hit three straight field goals, extending their lead by 10 in the early minutes of the third quarter. Gentry managed only one field goal in the quarter, allowing the Lions to take a 31-20 lead going into the final eight minutes of the contest.

With the support of its many fans, the Gravette Lions overwhelmed a stunned Pioneer team in the final quarter of play, outscoring Gentry 22-12 to take the conference win by 21 points.

Gentry’s Friday contest at Berryville was postponed due to severe weather in the area.

Casey Bates (Gentry 1) and Kaleb Furlow (Gravette 15) fight over a rebound in the opening minutes of the first quarter of the GravetteGentry conference battle in Gravette Jan. 7. Furlow was able to retain the ball and passed it down the court to one of his teammates for a successful field goal.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS The battle of the 33s. Pioneer Garrison Jackson (33) tries to put up a jumper over the top of Lion Brayden Trembly (33) during the Gravette-Gentry varsity boys basketball contest in Gravette Jan. 7. The Lions defeated the Pioneers, 53-32, for the first conference win of 2020.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Lion Brayden Trembly (33, right) puts up a jumper during the first quarter of the Gravette-Gentry conference matchup at the competition gym Jan. 7.