On the eve of the 60th Lanierland Tournament, the hype continues to build toward the opening tip-off on Friday at 9:30 a.m.
With that in mind, why not ask the coaches about the keys to winning it all and their favorite tournament memories.
Lanierland begins with the Lakeview girls taking on Chestatee Friday at 9:30 a.m. The entire first round will be broadcast live on 94.5 FM The Lake and streaming on www.accesswdun.com.
Lakeview boys coach Todd Cottrell on …
What does your team need to do to win Lanierland?
“We have to be much more consistent on both ends of the floor.”
What is your favorite tournament memory?
“Lanierland is the best high school basketball tournament that I have ever been associated with. The tradition. The natural rivalries. It makes for an incredible event. I have a lot of great memories, way too many to pick just one. But to me, the best part of Lanierland, the part that makes it special, is the atmosphere.”
Gainesville girls coach Alan Griffin on ...
What does your team need to do to win Lanierland?
"We have to continue to play great on the defensive end and continue to grow as a team."
What is your favorite tournament memory?
"Last year was my first as a participant, I will always carry my first Lanierland experience with me. It is truly an unbelievable atmosphere and one that you can only experience to believe."
Lakeview girls coach John Carrick on ...
What does your team need to do to win Lanierland?
“We need to play just about a mistake-less game and shoot the ball well each and every game."
What is your favorite tournament memory?
"I think in my first year, LA was put back in tournament as a No. 8 seed, and we beat the No. 1 seed to get out of the cellar."
Johnson boys coach Chris Guthrie on …
What does your team need to do to win Lanierland?
“The Knights need to take one game at a time and believe we can win each one.”
What is your favorite tournament memory?
“My favorite memory was when I was with Chestatee’s girls and seeing them play in front of a packed gym.”
North Hall girls coach Kristi House on …
What does your team need to do to win Lanierland?
“We must defend well and stay focused for the entire 3 days of the tournament.”
What is your favorite tournament memory?
“My favorite memory is playing in Gainesville Junior College gym. It was always packed and exciting for both players and spectators.”
East Hall girls coach Justin Wheeler on …
What does your team need to do to win Lanierland?
"We need to play great defense and rebound the ball in order to win Lanierland."
What is your favorite tournament memory?
"My favorite memory is when we beat Gainesville in the semi-finals in 2015 with a buzzer-beater three in regulation on our home floor."
Cherokee Bluff girls coach Lindsay Justice on …
What does your team need to do to win Lanierland?
To win Lanierland we have to take better care of the basketball and play with defensive urgency. We are young inexperience and would need some players to step up.
What is your favorite tournament memory?
Been involved with Lanierland since I can remember growing up in Hall county. Played in it and now coaching. My favorite memory is just the overall atmosphere that kids have the opportunity to play in. There's nothing quite like it because of the community support surrounding it. There have been so many amazing games, players, and coaches involved in this tournament.
Chestatee girls coach Sutton Shirley on …
What does your team need to do to win Lanierland?
"For us to win Lanierland, we have to give max effort, especially defensively, for 32 minutes every game that we play. If we do that, we will put ourselves in a position to win any game on our schedule."
What is your favorite tournament memory?
“My favorite Lanierland memory as a coach is when I was an assistant at East Hall and Carly Winters hit a game-winning 3-pointer with less than 5 seconds to go in the semifinals vs. Gainesville to put us in the championship. I think it was 2015. Made it sweeter to be in a capacity filled East Hall gym that night.
North Hall boys coach Tyler Sanders on …
What is your favorite tournament memory?
"I have played and coached in the tournament, and my favorite part is having great crowds for every game. The atmosphere is special, there are excitement and intensity for every game. It brings our community together like no other event does. It’s always a special three days
