However, Gainesville coach Todd Cottrell said his team is far removed from the group that cruised to an impressive Lanierland tournament title just three weeks ago.
"We're not clicking as well as we were earlier in the year but a win in this league on the road is always big," Cottrell said. "It was also big for us to get a win after a loss. We still have a tough week ahead but this is a good way to start."
The Red Elephants (10-6, 5-1 Region 8B-AAA) will have their hands full on Friday traveling to nationally-ranked Christ School out of Arden, N.C. They will then turn around and travel to West Hall on Saturday and then back home on Monday against Class AAA fourth-ranked Carrollton for four games in seven days.
"Christ School is an outstanding team; and then West Hall, who we seem to have trouble with every time we play them. Then to finish against Carrollton is a tough week for anyone," Cottrell said. "We will have to play better to beat any of those teams. We'll be tired after this stretch."
Cottrell saw his team start strong running out to a 9-0 lead but he also watched as Johnson rallied from an 11-point second quarter deficit to take a 36-34 lead in the third quarter, capping an 11-3 run. The Red Elephants then answered with a 15-2 run to end the third quarter and retake control with a 49-38 lead.
Johnson had one last run as Ty Odem hit a jumper to cut the Gainesville lead to 53-50 with 3:40 left in the game. But the Gainesville defense would hold the Knights (7-9, 0-4) to just a pair of free throws the rest of the way. The Knights are still missing two starters to injuries.
"Johnson can really shoot it. When they get everyone back they will be a very dangerous team to play," Cottrell said.
Gainesville came out firing to open the game with three straight 3-pointers, one by Lance White and two from Deshaun Watson for a quick 9-0 lead in the first 90 seconds. White had a big quarter with seven points, one assist, and two steals to help the Elephants run out to an 18-11 lead. White would open the second quarter with another 3-pointer for a 21-11 Gainesville lead.
But Johnson's Matt Hollis, playing in his first game since Lanierland, pulled the Knights' to within 21-16 on five straight points. Gainesville answered with a 6-0 run to grab a 27-16 with two minutes left. The Knights would answer that run with a 7-2 spurt to close out the half to trail just 29-23.
Hollis, who finished with 18 points to lead Johnson, would spark the Knights to their first lead of the game with two 3-pointers, the last of which gave them a 33-32 lead. But it would not hold as the Elephants' defense forced five straight turnovers to spark their run to end the third quarter.
Watson finished with 14 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead Gainesville. White finished with 12 points and Shaquan Cantrell had nine for the Elephants.
Odem finished with 15 points for Johnson. Jalen Bowens added nine for the Knights.
Gainesville's Deshaun Watson
http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/1/244868