Morrison leads Lady Lions to victory over Lady Pioneers

GRAVETTE — A sea of orange greeted the Gravette Lady Lions as the team took the court at the competition gym Jan. 7 for the first conference game of 2020 against their rival, the Gentry Lady Pioneers. The Lady Lion fans would not be disappointed, with Gravette rolling over Gentry by 22 points.

Gentry gained control of the opening tipoff but a missed field goal gave the Lady Lions the rebound. Gravette hit a field goal on its next possession for the first points of the contest. A three-pointer on Gentry’s next possession put the Lady Pioneers up by one during the early stages of the first quarter. A pair of free throws by Gravette put the Lady Lions on top by one. Gravette took control of the contest to lead 18-12 by quarter’s end.

The Lady Lions continued their dominance in the second quarter, holding the Lady Pioneers to a pair of field goals while extending their lead to 18 at the halftime break.

In the third quarter, the Lady Pioneers were unable to gain any ground on the Lady Lions and Gravette held its 18 point lead. And the Lady Lions maintained their lead in the final eight minutes, claiming the conference win, 53-31, over the Gentry Lady Pioneers.

Leading the way in double figures for the Gravette Lady Lions was Shylee Morrison with 28 points, followed by Kaylan Chilton and Reese Hamilton with five each. Completing the scoring drive for the Lady Lions were Abigail Beranek, Gabbi Scott and Taylor Neustel, each with four, followed by Austin Russell with three.

Ahrya Reding led the way for the Lady Pioneers with 10 points, followed by Melody Owens, Ariel Nix and Emily Toland, each with five. Rounding out the Gentry scoring effort were Jaiden Wilmoth, Heidi Vinson and Kinley Hayes with two each.

In the second conference contest of the week, the Lady Lions traveled to Farmington to take on the Lady Cardinals at Cardinal Arena. The Lady Lions were able to keep pace with the Lady Cardinals and eventually took the lead shortly after the start of the second quarter. With four minutes left until halftime, the Lady Cardinals went on a 20 point run, taking over the lead at the halftime break, 37-25.

The Farmington Lady Cardinals held on in the second half to claim the win, 72-48, over the Gravette Lady Lions.

The Lady Pioneers’ Friday

night game at Berryville was postponed due to severe weather in the area.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Shylee Morrison (center) goes for a layup during the fourth quarter of the Gravette-Gentry varsity girls game at the competition gym in Gravette Jan. 7. Morrison’s 28 points led the Lady Lions to a 53-31 conference victory over the Lady Pioneers.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS As Lady Lion Shylee Morrison goes up for a jumper, Lady Pioneer Ahrya Reding tipped the ball enough for Morrison to lose her grip during the third quarter of the Gravette-Gentry conference game at the competition gym in Gravette Jan. 7.