Except for the storybook ending.
The Elephants' quest for their first state title since 1984 ended Friday at the hands of Westover in a 59-56 loss in the Class AAA semifinals at the Macon Coliseum.
The Patriots used a 9-2 run late in the fourth quarter to run out to their biggest lead of the game and then held off a furious Gainesville rally in the final 19 seconds to advance to the Class AAA title game.
Westover (29-6) will play South Atlanta, which beat Columbia in the other semifinal, Saturday night for the Class AAA title.
The ending was especially bittersweet for Manomano, who fouled out with 3:01 left in the game and Gainesville trailing 46-41. Jeffries was held to just two free throws in the fourth quarter. However, both still were able to manage smiles after the loss.
"It was a great experience. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to do something few people get to do," Jeffries said. "As seniors we wanted to put Gainesville basketball back on the map and I think we did that. I was hoping for a better ending, though."
"The crowd was great and I was just soaking it all in before the game," Manomano said. "I thought we played okay. It wasn't our best game but we had chances. We just didn't finish it."
Gainesville coach Todd Cottrell, who led the Elephants into the Final Four in his first season, said he could not have asked more from his seniors, which also included D.J. McDuffie, Nick Johnson, Brock Boleman, and D.J. Allen.
"Those guys did everything we asked of them this year," Cottrell said. "I couldn't be proud more of group of guys than I am of this one. They are special.
"As for the game, we just had too many turnovers, especially in key moments, and missed free throws and some easy shots. But we knew it was going to be tough and Westover showed why they are a great team."
Westover led 58-50 with 19 seconds left but Gainesville sophomore Blake Sims hit two long 3-pointers to pull the Elephants within 59-56 with four seconds left. Westover's Kenji Breedlove then missed two free throws with three seconds left but the Elephants were not able to get a potential tying shot off before the buzzer sounded.
Sims scored 14 fourth quarter points to lead Gainesville, which finished the year at 21-9, with 17 points. Westover standout Terrance Noel scored nine of his game-high 23 points in the final period to help the Patriots hold off the Elephants.
It was a physical game from the opening tip and good shots were hard to come by for both teams. Gainesville missed its first five 3-pointers and was just 3-of-8 on 3-pointers for the game while Westover missed its first eight 3-point shots and was just 1-of-11 on 3-pointers for the game.
The difference was at the free throw line where Westover was 26-of-40 for the game and 9-of-15 down the stretch. Gainesville had opportunities in the fourth quarter but was just 8-of-16 at the free throw line in the final period and 21-of-35 for the game.
"That was the difference in the end," Cottrell said. "Neither team was that good but they hit a few more when they needed to."
Gainesville dominated the boards outrebounding Westover 28-14 for the game but the Patriots defense proved to be another key as they forced 24 Gainesville turnovers to just 17 of their own. Westover only had six turnovers in the second half as Noel took control of the game.
Manomano finished with 13 points but just two free throws in the second half as the Patriots double-teamed him after halftime. Jeffries finished with 16 points, 12 in the second half. Nick Johnson had four points and A.J. Johnson had five for the Elephants.
THIRD QUARTER -- Gainesville used an 8-0 run early in the third quarter to grab a 31-26 lead but Westover finished the quarter with an 8-1 run to lead 38-36 heading into the fourth quarter.
Terrance Noel gave the Patriots the lead with an acrobatic, twisting reverse layup with two seconds left in the quarter.
Gainesville's Juwan Jeffries had a huge quarter with 10 points to keep the Elephants in the game.
SECOND QUARTER -- Westover's pressing defense finally began to do some damage to Gainesville forcing nine turnovers for the half as the Patriots held Ggainesville to just one field goal over the final 4:34 of the second quarter to take a 24-23 lead at halftime.
Westover leading scorer Noel poured in seven of his team-high 10 points in the quarter, including hitting one free throw with three seconds left in the half to give them the lead.
George Manomano led Gainesville with 11 points in the first half. The Elephants have done a nice on the boards outrebounding Westover 16-10 in the first half. However, the Patriots countered by forcing 14 Gainesville turnovers, seven in the second quarter. Westover only had two turnovers in the second quarter.
FIRST QUARTER -- Gainesville started slow but used a 9-0 run midway through the first quarter to finish the period with a 15-11 lead.
Gainesville's Blake Sims
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/3/218618