Davis, Elephants looking for experience

GAINESVILLE - At the end of last season, the Gainesville boys basketball team ran into one of those teams no one wanted to play at the end of the season falling to Villa Rica in the opening round of the Class AAA playoffs.

This year coach Jerry Davis is hoping to be on the other side of the upset as he prepares to open the Red Elephants' schedule Nov. 17th against Class AAAAA Roswell in the Forsyth County Turkey Shootout.

"Last year we ran into a hot team at tournament time. Our goal this year is to gain experience during the season and be ready for the (region and state) tournaments. If we can do that I think we'll be one those teams no one wants to play at the end of the season," he said.

The Elephants have a talented squad but little experience to go with it. Gainesville returns just one starter from last year's 18-10 squad - senior forward Alan Dockery - and Davis, who worked an early practice Thursday, said he will look from a group of about 10 players to interchange.

Junior guard George Manomano saw a lot of action last season and senior North Hall transfer Martin Estes, sophomore Ty Redmon, juniors D.J. McDuffie and Andy Edmondson, and senior Graham Williams will give the Elephants plenty at guard.

Footballers Gerald Ford (senior forward), Juwon Jeffries (junior guard), Brock Boleman (junior center), and junior forward Nick Johnson will help anchor the frontcourt once they are finished on the gridiron.

Davis said they will try to push the ball on offense but that defense will be the key to any success this year.

"We have to play better defense this year than last," he said. "We know Chestatee, East Hall, West Hall, just about every team in the region, can score so we have to slow them down. But we also have to shoot the ball and score to win.

"So far we are having some of the best practices of the last four years here. The kids are working hard and looking forward to the season. I really feel like we'll be right in the middle of things at the end (of the season)."

The season could get off to a festive start for Davis and the Elephants if they can figure out how to knock of Roswell in their opener. Davis sits just one win from 600 wins at Gainesville and is just 11 away from 700 career wins.