Bulldogs open season in tourney

The Gainesville High School boys' basketball team opens up varsity play this week in the Mansfield tournament. The Bulldogs were scheduled to play Norwood on Tuesday evening. Details of that game were unavailable at press time Tuesday.

The Bulldogs will then travel to Forsyth on Dec. 11 for a 6 p.m. game.

The Lady Bulldogs had a tough week, dropping games to Thayer and Mountain Grove.

At Thayer on Monday night, the hosting Lady Bobcats exploded for a 26-point first quarter and held Gainesville to 8 points. The "shock and awe" first quarter was enough, as Thayer went on to a 69-45 win.

Madison Strong led the Gainesville effort with 16 points, followed by Sarah Evans with 9, Alyssa Abraham and Sara Cunningham with 5 each and Tali Rose with 4. Abby Britt chipped in 2 while Kiya Head and Scout Jeckstadt each had 1 point for Gainesville.

Against Mountain Grove on Nov. 29, it was a lopsided fourth quarter that spelled disaster for the Lady Bulldogs as Mountain Grove outscored Gainesville 15-4 in the fourth quarter of play to get a 52-41 win.

Tali Rose led Gainesville with 15 points, followed by Sarah Evans with 9 and Madison Strong with 7. Abby Britt also netted 5 points in the loss.

The 1-3 Lady Bulldogs hope to bounce back with a win Thursday night at home against Fordland. Game time is 6 p.m.