GAINESVILLE -- For 20 minutes, the Class AAA No. 6-ranked Gainesville boys basketball had no business being in the gym with ninth-ranked West Hall after falling down by 22 points and looking lost on both offense and defense.
But that's why they play 32 minutes.
The Red Elephants exploded for a 31-8 run in a six minute span to take their first lead of the game and then survived a wild final 10 seconds to shock the Spartans 64-62 Monday in the first round of the Lanierland Tournament.
The turnaround began on a timeout after West Hall's Shunquez Stephens put the Spartans ahead 47-25 with just under two minutes left in the third quarter.
"I just asked them what they were doing and that if they wanted to win the game they needed to show some heart," Gainesville coach Todd Cottrell said. "I think they felt a little embarrassed about how they had played up to that point. We didn't change anything. We just started playing basketball the way we can. They showed a lot of heart, especially in the fourth quarter."
Guards Tray Harrison and Jevez Warren put the Elephants on their backs combining for 21 points in the fourth quarter, including four huge 3-pointers. A Warren 3-pointer gave Gainesville a 56-55 lead
Friday
April 26th, 2024
10:37PM
