Jeff Hart

Benjie Wood was adamant that his Class AAAAAA No. 1-ranked Gainesville squad was in no way trying to make a statement in the 2016 Lanierland Tournament. However, after an 88-38 dismantling of East Hall in the finals Friday night at the Gainesville gym, it’s hard to argue with the numbers.

A slow start. Foul trouble. A red-hot Anna McKendree. It was all the ingredients the Flowery Branch girls did not want to see in their quest to repeat as Lanierland champions Friday night against West Hall.

East Hall ground out a tough 56-53 win over North Hall, while No. 1 Gainesville exploded for a 104-67 win over Lakeview Academy in the two semifinal games Thursday in the 2016 Lanierland Tournament. Now, the traditional rivals will meet once again for the title on Friday at the Gainesville gym...

West Hall and Flowery Branch both took big wins Thursday in the semifinals and now will get to do battle Friday in the finals of the 2016 Lanierland Tournament...

Dawson County jumped out to a quick lead but could not hold it falling to John's Creek 57-51 in the finals of the Commerce Christmas Classic Thursday night.

The Gainesville, Lakeview Academy, and East Hall boys rolled to big wins while North Hall survived a furious Johnson rally in the second half to advance to the semifinals of the Lanierland Tournament Wednesday at the North Hall gym.

The Lakeview Academy, Gainesville, and Flowery Branch girls all moved into the semifinals of the 57th annual Lanierland Tournament with impressive wins Wednesday in the first round at the North Hall gym. West Hall shook off a slow start to advance with a win over East Hall.

In 2015, the annual Lanierland Tournament made history on several fronts. The 2016 Lanierland version may not be able to cite historical precedence when it’s all said and done, but it offers plenty of intriguing storylines...

Dawson County used a 12-4 fourth quarter run to pull away for a 45-34 win over Stephens County Tuesday in the first round of the Commerce Christmas Classic...

The West Hall boys basketball team went 2-1 at the Holiday on the Hardwood Tournament in Cherokee, N.C. last week.