Tuesday March 19th, 2024 5:21AM

Elephants advance to Big Red Shootout finals

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter
GAINESVILLE -- The Gainesville boys basketball team may wish that every game was in a tournament this season.

The Red Elephants advanced to the finals of the first annual Big Red Shootout Friday night after whipping Parkview 67-42 in the semifinals at the Gainesville gym.

All four of Gainesville's victories so far have come in tournaments. The Red Elephants (4-6) won two games in Lanierland and have won two straight Big Red Shootout games on back-to-back days.

Gainesville coach Todd Cottrell wasn't sure why his group plays better in tournament formats. The Elephants are 0-5 in non-tournament regular season games this season.

"Maybe that's a good sign for the end of the year," Cottrell said. "But I think we're just starting to play better as a team as we get more games under our belt."

Gainesville next will take on Class AAAAAA Collins Hill (10-4) which held off Chattahoochee 68-58 in the other semifinal, for the championship at 8:30 p.m. Saturday night.

"That will be a heck of a challenge," Cottrell said. "They are athletic and well-coached and are playing very well. If we play defense and take care of the ball and rebound like we did tonight, we have a chance."

Gainesville committed a season-low eight turnovers and just one by the regular unit after halftime. The Elephants outrebounded Parkview 29-17 and held the Panthers to just two field goals over a seven-minute span in the first half while they built a lead they would not relinquish.

"I was real proud of our defense. Maybe the best we've played defensively all season," Cottrell said.

The Red Elephants fell behind 6-1 early but used a 15-5 run over the final 6:33 of the first quarter to grab a 16-11 lead. Gainesville forced five turnovers in the quarter that led to eight points.

Parkview (2-11) would cut the lead to 16-14 to start the second quarter on a Malik Abraham 3-pointer but Gainesville would take control of the game with a 13-3 spurt for a 29-18 lead with 2:32 left in the first half. Parkview would cut it to 31-22 on a pair of fastbreak baskets but the Elephants' Chase England gave them a 33-22 halftime lead with a basket with two seconds left.

Gainesville put the game away with a 20-10 third quarter for a 53-32 lead. England, who led the Elephants will 16 points, and Caleb Hayman, who had 14 points, combined for 12 points and five rebounds in the quarter to dominate the inside.

The Elephants would build leads as big 20 points on two occasions in the fourth quarter.

Shaquan Cantrell finished with 11 points and Luke Moore added eight points for Gainesville. Hayman pulled down seven rebounds to lead the Elephants.

Abraham finished with 14 points to pace Parkview. Ish Martin added 10n for the Panthers.
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