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By JIM LUKSIC
Traveler Sports Editor

A tall order -- in the form of Goddard's aptly named center Cliff Russell -- proved too much for the Ark City boys' basketball team Friday night.

The visiting Lions roared into town and pulled away late for a 63-52 victory, leaving the Bulldogs at 2-3 overall and winless in league play.

The towering Russell -- shortchanged on the roster, which lists him as only 6-8 -- tossed in 24 points as the officials let him roam with impunity down the stretch.

Said Ark City coach Rob Blevins: "I can't question our effort. But we've got to learn how to finish a game."

Tyler Blevins and Jorge Espino led the hosts with 15 and 13 points, respectively.

The Bulldogs' early 5-0 advantage soon gave way to a stretch of Espino and Russell (do I hear an echo?) exchanging baskets. That was before treys by Noah Smithson and Marcus Bertelsen propelled Ark City to a 19-11 margin, which shrank to three at quarter's end.

Midway through the second, Goddard managed to knot it up at 23-23. That's when Blevins got fouled while draining a trey, resulting in a four-point swing for Ark City.

Gradually, the Lions took advantage of second chances as Russell became chairman of the boards. Despite a smattering of Blevins' free throws, Goddard took a 34-33 lead into the locker room.

In the second half, the Bulldogs went up 41-36 on treys from Bertelson and Espino -- a Russell slam dunk notwithstanding. Smithson's hoop-and-harm conversion resulted in three more, but Ark City simply couldn't blow it open.

With under five minutes remaining, it was all tied up at 48 -- and that's when the game turned in Goddard's favor. The Lions had possession for what seemed an eternity, tossing in freebies here and there, after which the Bulldogs never recovered.

The closing minutes became a free-throw shooting contest, wherein the visitors found more success at the charity stripe. Goddard's rebounding and freebies were too much for Ark City to overcome.

"We need more consistency inside," said coach Blevins following the 11-point defeat. "Their big kid (Russell) really hurt us."

The Bulldogs' next game isn't until Jan. 7, when they travel to Newton.

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Despite their highest offensive output of the season, the Lady Bulldogs couldn't stop the Lady Lions (lionesses?) from exiting with a 61-47 victory. The defeat left Ark City's girls winless on the season.

"We had struggled offensively, but for us to have 24 points in the first half is great," said coach Bill Stinson, adding that he was particularly pleased with Allison Belindo's performance. Ark City trailed 33-24 at the break.

Goddard's hot-handed Meghan Welch was a scoring machine for most of the night.

"She was a tough mismatch for us, but I'm pleased with our defensive effort," said Stinson.

Despite the Lions' comfortable lead down the stretch (they were up 16 at one point) Welch kept firing up treys -- missing them all. But Ark City's offense could never close the gap.

Stinson said the Lady Bulldogs need to fine-tune some things defensively.

"We're trying to cut down on opponents' offensive rebounds," he added.

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The Ark City girls' junior varsity and coach Aaron Bucher boosted their record to 5-0 with a 44-42 win on Friday.

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Editor's note: Box scores from Friday night's games were unavailable at press time. They will be published in Monday's sports section.

Above: Ark City High senior Allison Belindo, center, fends off two Goddard Lions on Friday night.