GAINESVILLE - The more things change the more they stay the same.
The Gainesville and East Hall boys basketball teams will meet yet again for the Lanierland Tournament title Saturday night at the North Hall gym.
Between the two schools, they have won 35 of the 43 Lanierland boys championship.
In semifinal action at North Hall Friday night, No. 1-ranked East Hall rolled over No. 3 Johnson, 78-55, and Gainesville whipped West Hall, 89-77, to advance to the finals.
The action will tip-off at 8:30 p.m.
Gainesville coach Jerry Davis said the Red Elephants "started out bad" but made some adjustments on offense and "our guys made a great turn around."
Brent Benson poured in 36 points to lead Gainesville. Kenji Cobb added 19 points for the Red Elephants.
The Spartans were led by a 19-point performance by Israel Mata.
Gainesville led most of the way. Aas far as the East Hall rivalry, Gainesville has not fared well of late losing 13-of-the-last-16 meetings, but did manage to beat the Vikings in last year's Region 7-AAA title game.
EAST HALL 78, JOHNSON 55:
East Hall's Jerrenda Wheeler led the Vikings with 30 points. Frank Davis added 13.
Sam Greavu led Johnson with 19 points.
The Vikings led by just nine at halftime after some sloppy but then pulled away in the second half.
"We played some sloppy basketball on offense in the first half," Viking coach Seth Vining said. "We forced 20 turnovrs in the first half, but only led by nine at half. I told my guys we needed to cash in on our opportunity to be able to win this game.
Vining said they did just that and turned things around.
Saturday
July 5th, 2025
8:32PM
