Davis, Elephants win first 7-AAA title since '03

GAINESVILLE - Coach Jerry Davis returned to Gainesville before the 2004 season to help the Red Elephants win championships.

He finally got his elusive goal Monday night as the Elephants held off Flowery Branch 65-58 Monday to win their first Region 7-AAA title since 2003.

"It feels good. It's good for the seniors who have worked hard the past couple of years to earn this," Davis said.

Gainesville (24-4) will play host to Stephens County Friday night in the state tournament. Flowery Branch (15-14) will play host to Oconee County, also on Friday.

It didn't come easy as the Falcons (15-14) rallied from several 10 point leads to finally tie the game at 51 with 5:40 left in the game. But Gainesville used an 11-5 run to retake the lead for good late in the fourth quarter.

"Flowery Branch has a good team and they kept battling us until the end. That was a good game for us as we head into the (state) tournament," Davis said.

Chaz Smith and Tavious Pittman each had 18 points to pace the Red Elephants while Jamarko Warren added 16.

Keenan Harris had 17 to lead the Falcons with Jaybo Shaw adding 12 and Colby Newton 11.

Gainesville took early control jumping out to a 12-2 lead. But Flowery Branch stormed back using a 10-4 run to close to within 16-12. The Elephants closed out the first half with an 8-0 run to take a 40-27 halftime lead.

The Falcons came out firing in the third quarter using a 14-3 run over the first six minutes of the third quarter to close within 43-41.

(By Jeff Hart)