Lady Lions roll over Lady Pioneers in homecoming contest
GRAVETTE — After watching the first half of the Gravette-Gentry boys’ game from the hospitality room overlooking the basketball court, members of the 2021 homecoming royalty made their way to the locker room to dress out for the start of the girls’ contest. By the end of the 32-minute contest, the Gravette Lady Lions claimed the homecoming victory by 29 points.
In the coronation ceremony prior to the start of the boys’ contest, Mackenzie Stewart was named the 2021 basketball homecoming queen, with Kaylan Chilton and Taylor Neustel serving as royal princesses.
The Lady Pioneers came to Lion Arena in Gravette Friday night hoping for a conference win against their longtime rivals. But the team’s hope was dashed by the beginning of the second half.
The Lady Pioneers were the first to score on a two-point field goal by Randi Jo Bolinger at the 6:03 mark in the first quarter. Twenty seconds later Dalancie Wishon drove to the basket and put up a jumper for a field goal and a 2-2 tie. A three-point field goal halfway through the quarter put the Lady Pioneers up by three. With less than three minutes remaining in the first quarter, a field goal by Shylee Morrison gave the Lady Lions their first lead of the contest.
At the two-minute mark, the Lady Pioneers made a free throw and the game was tied at eight, but Gravette went on a short run and by the end of the first quarter led by six, 14-8.
The Lady Lions held their lead through the second quarter and, by the halftime break, extended it to 33-23.
The Lady Lions continued to pull away from the Lady Pioneers in the second half, holding Gentry to five points in the third and only a field goal in the fourth. By the end of the game, the Lady Lions won their homecoming game, 59-30, over the visiting Lady Pioneers.
Leading the way once again, in double figures, was Shylee Morrison with 19 points, followed by Rachel Deihl with 13 and Kaylan Chilton with 12. Rounding out the Lady Lion scoring effort was Lizzy Ellis with nine, Dalacie Wishon with three, Krya Hook with two and Reese Hamilton with one.
On the Lady Pioneer side, Alyssa McCarty led the way with 10 points, followed by Randi Jo Bolinger with six, Liberty Brannon and Emily Toland each with five, Darien Welch and Lexi Fowler each with two.