GAINESVILLE — Both No. 2 Gainesville and Dacula came into Friday night’s showdown at the Gainesville gym unbeaten and tied for first place in Region 8-AAAAAA.
But only Gainesville left with a still unblemished region record and now a one-game lead after its dominating 79-53 win over the Falcons.
However, Gainesville coach Benjie Wood was quick to point out, it’s just one game.
“Dacula is a good team. They’re missing one of their best players and were battling sickness last week. We could go over there (next week) and get beat by 20. It’s just one game,” he said.
The two teams will meet again next Saturday in Dacula.
On this Friday, however, the Red Elephants (18-1, 5-0 Region 8-AAAAAA) wasted little time in taking control. They jumped out to a fast 7-0 lead behind two turnovers and led 16-5 midway through the first quarter after a Kajuan Hale 3-pointer.
Dacula (14-6, 4-1) pulled within 16-10 with just under two minutes left in the period but would not get any closer the rest of the game. The Falcons got within 23-16 on a pair of Justin Goodson free throws early in the second quarter but the Red Elephants exploded for an 18-6 run to take a 41-22 halftime lead.
Dacula never recovered.
“I thought our guys played very hard on defense,” Wood said. “They know if they don’t they get to come sit next to me. I was real pleased with our effort.”
Gainesville forced 25 Dacula turnovers for the game, 14 coming on steals. The Red Elephants led 59-42 heading into the fourth quarter and ran to leads as big 26 twice, including the final score.
K.J. Buffen was a catalyst on both ends of the floor posting a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds to go with three blocks, three steals, and two assists.
“K.J. is a good player and he does a lot of things for us. It was good to see him have a good game,” Wood said.
Jarred Rosser led the Red Elephants with 21 points and brother Jarrel added 14 points. Michael White had nine points, all on 3-pointers, including a pair in the first quarter to help Gainesville jump out to the quick lead.
Mekhail Bethea paced Dacula with 24 points, including hitting four 3-pointers. Goodson added 13 for the Falcons.
GAINESVILLE GIRLS 48,
DACULA 35
Despite not having coach Brenda Hill-Gilmore, who has been battling the flu, the Lady Elephants just stayed with their usual game plan of defense, defense, and more defense.
It worked as they held Dacula to a long scoreless drought and forced 22 turnovers, inlcuding seven while exploding for a 17-1 run in the first half to take control. It also helped that sophomore Tija Blackwell poured in 12 of her team-high 17 points in the opening half.
Assistant coach Brad Prestridge said they just talked about doing what came natural.
“Defense is our game and we just tried to make sure we played defense the way we’re supposed to,” Prestridge said. “The effort was real good. Tija played well and made some key shots for us. We also got to the line some and created turnovers.”
Dacula opened with a quick 5-0 run but the Lady Red Elephants answered with a 7-0 run. Dacula’s Kandy Brown tied it moments later and the Gainesville used its defense and quickness to blow the game open.
The Lady Red Elephants held Dacula to no field goals over a nine minute stretch while forcing the seven turnovers and exploded for the big run for a 24-8 lead.
Blackwell hit the last of her four first half 3-pointers to help Gainesville take a 29-13 lead into the intermission.
Gainesville (12-5, 4-1 Region 8-AAAAAA) pushed its lead to 34-15 midway through the third quarter and extended it 46-25 in the fourth quarter before both teams brought in reserves.
Dacula (9-11, 3-2) got as close as 13 twice in the final minute.
Prestridge conceded that it was an important win for the Lady Red Elephants, who remain just one game back of No. 3 Winder-Barrow in the region standings. The two teams will play again in the final week of the regular season.
“We do get them one more time but for that to mean anything we have to take care of business the rest of the way,” he said.
Taylor Hawks had 12 points and Mikeisha Battle added eight for Gainesville.
Brown finished with eight points to lead Dacula. Helena Lee added seven points for the Lady Falcons.
