Lions catch Eagles, Diamonds off guard in first wins of 2019
FAYETTEVILLE — The Gravette Lions completed the first week of 2019 with an overwhelming 48-point win over the Fayetteville Christian Eagles Jan. 5 at the New School gym in Fayetteville. Two days earlier, the Lions put down the Arkansas Arts Academy by almost the same margin at home to begin the second half of the 2018-19 varsity basketball season.
From the opening tipoff, Matt Busch’s Gravette Lions quickly gained control of the contest, hitting the first two-point basket with only three seconds elapsed in the first quarter. For the remainder of the first half, the Lions razzle-dazzled the crowd with feats and skills, including several slam dunks by Brayden Trembly, Colby McCarthy and Tristan Batie. Gravette continued to pound Fayetteville Christian on the boards, building a 25-point lead by the half time break.
The Lions held the Eagles to only three points in the second half while building on their lead. When the final buzzer sounded, the Gravette Lions took their second win of the new year, 63-15, over the Fayetteville Christian Academy Eagles.
Leading the Lions’ attack was Colby McCarthy with 13, followed by Brayden Trembly with 12 and Jake Carver with nine. Other Lion players contributing to the scoring effort included Tristan Batie with seven; Chase Austin, Issac Griffith and Jesse Frye each had four. Johnny Dunfee, Kaleb Furlow, Drake Short, Jacob Rogers and Lane Wilkins all scored two points each. Josh Schnelle played but did not score.
The Gravette Lions were in action after Christmas when they participated in the Lendel Thomas Classic basketball tournament at Harrison High School in Harrison. First up for the Lions was the Exeter (Mo.) Tigers Dec. 27. The Lions took that contest, 66-41. The Lions faced another Missouri team Dec. 28, squaring off against the Granby East Newton Patriots. The Patriots won that contest by five, 59-54, eliminating the Lions from the tournament.
Gravette returned home to the competition gym Jan. 3 to face the Arkansas Arts Academy Diamonds in the first basketball contest of the 2019 season. The Lions totally dominated that contest, overwhelming the Diamonds, 70-27.
The Gravette Lions return to the competition gym in Gravette Jan. 11 to square off against rival Pea Ridge Blackhawks in a 7 p.m. contest. This will be the Gravette Booster Club’s annual orange-out night. The club will hand out orange T-shirts before the game.