Lady Tigers Hold On

PRAIRIE GROVE GIRLS MAKE WINNING PLAYS

MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER/Prairie Grove sophomore Aniyah Gibbs scored six straight points, including this layup, during a crucial fourth quarter stretch as Prairie Grove held off Elkins, 42-37, Friday.
MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER/Prairie Grove sophomore Aniyah Gibbs scored six straight points, including this layup, during a crucial fourth quarter stretch as Prairie Grove held off Elkins, 42-37, Friday.

PRAIRIE GROVE -- Elkins clearly had momentum going during a 19-6 third-quarter surge that tied that game at 30 on Shelby Diaville's free throws, but they didn't box out Jasmine Wynos.

The Prairie Grove freshman used her strength and 5-feet-9 frame to grab an airball and put the ball in the hoop lifting Prairie Grove to a 32-30 lead as the third quarter buzzer sounded. The bucket loomed large, keeping the Lady Elks for all of their efforts behind as the fourth quarter began.

Elkins was able to tie the game again early in the fourth quarter on Konley Kestner's rebound basket. Prairie Grove then scored the next seven points. Sophomore guard Aniyah Gibbs asserted herself. She banked a shot home and scored an uncontested layup off Wynos' outlet pass, then took a rebound coast to coast. Lexie Madewell's free throw capped the run putting Prairie Grove up 39-32 at the 2:58 mark. Less than a minute later Wynos recognized a tired dribbler, stepped over and yanked the ball away for a steal.

Elkins finally got a basket with the clock down to a minute when Tink Harris cashed in on a steal. Sarah James Stone gave the Lady Tigers a 40-34 cushion with a foul shot. Elkins closed to within a single possession on Tink Harris' 3-pointer, but only 19 seconds remained. Madewell's free throws sealed the game as Prairie Grove claimed a 42-37 Colors Day win.

"We were able to handle the (momentum) swings and made some shots," said Prairie Grove coach Kevin Froud. "They were tied up, then Jasmine made a big shot at the end of the third quarter. Aniyah made a couple of big layups in the fourth quarter. It got close, then we made plays to win it. Lexie made free throws at the end to put us up five."

In the team's first meeting won by Elkins (49-40) in December, Shelby Diaville (13) and Sophie Hollingsworth (12) combined for 25 points. Diaville was held to 4 and Hollingsworth was scoreless Friday.

Prairie Grove jumped out to a 15-5 lead opening with five 3-pointers in the first quarter. Emily Grant knocked down a pair, Jordan Sugg swished a trifecta, and Grant again stroked another three when Kaylee Elder pulled down an offensive rebound and fed her. Grant stole the ball and returned the favor as Elder cranked up a 3-pointer. Prairie Grove led 15-7 after one quarter and 24-11 at halftime.

"Our press did real good early forcing turnovers and getting stuff there," Froud said.

Prairie Grove 42, Elkins 37

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Prairie Grove^15^9^8^10^--^42

Prairie Grove (2-3): Emily Grant 5-11 0-0 13, Aniyah Gibbs 3-10 0-0 6, Kaylee Elder 2-7 0-2 6, Sarah James Stone 1-4 2-4 4, Audrey Doering 2-3 0-0 4, Lexie Madewell 0-3 4-6 4, Jordan Sugg 1-3 0-0 3, Jasmine Wynos 1-2 0-0 2, Larisha Crawford 0-4 0-0 0, Madi Vinson 0-6 0-0 0. Totals 15-53 6-12 42.

Elkins (4-1): Allison Coleman 4 1-2 13, Tink Harris 3 1-2 8, Konley Kestner 2 2-2 6, Shelby Diaville 1 2-2 4, Sarah Parrish 1 0-0 2, Sophie Hollingsworth 1 0-1 2, K.D. Miller 1 0-0 2, Carla Burton 0 0-1 0. Totals 13 6-9 42.

3-Point Goals -- Prairie Grove 6-20 (Grant 3-6, Elder 2-5, Sugg 1-2, Gibbs 0-2, Madewell 0-2, Vinson 0-3). Elkins 5 (Coleman 4, Harris).

Rebounds -- Prairie Grove 19 (Wynos 6). Assists -- Prairie Grove 9 (Crawford 3). Steals -- Prairie Grove 10 (Elder 2, Grant 2, Gibbs 2, Sugg 2). Turnovers -- Prairie Grove 15.

Sports on 01/17/2018