BASKETBALL PREVIEW

GAFFNEY BOYS

The Gaffney boys basketball team, coached by Head Coach Mark Huff, opens the season ranked where they ended last season at NO. 2 in the state in Class 4A. The Indians return last season's 4A Player of The Year Josh Corry who has already signed to play his college basketball at Wofford. Corry averaged 21.3 points per game last season and was named one of the prestigious "Elite 5" players in South Carolina. The other starters, when the season starts, will be senior Chase Smith in the post, who averaged 12.0 points per game last season. Senior Bo Wray will be the other post starter. The wings will be Corry and senior Dominique Byers. The point guard will be junior Dershawn Dawkins. The Indians will lack size, with no one over 6'3", but they will rely on their speed and pressure defense. The Indians also have a lot of very good shooters and a very deep bench. I look for another great season for the Gaffney boys and another run for a State Championship is very possible.

GAFFNEY GIRLS

The girls team, coached by Head Coach Stacey Parris, returns all five starters from last seasons team that went 14 and 8 overall and 7 and 3 in the Region. The starters will be senior point guard Keisha Leach, Kierra Phillips a senior that averaged 13.6 points per game, junior Paris Davidson, junior Ashlee Tate and senior Tierra Morris. The Lady Indians also return 10 of their 11 players from last years team. I expect the Lady Indians to be a serious contender for the Region 3 4A Championship this season.

INDIANS AND LADY INDIANS WIN OPENER!

The Indians boys blew out Union County 92 to 57, behind a game high 24 points from Chase Smith. The Tribe played the game without reigning 4A Player of the Year Josh Corry, who was suspended for the game, and jumped on the Jackets from the start of the game racing out to a 15 to 0 lead. The Indians never looked back as they rolled to an impressive opening game victory. The Indians pressure defense forced 26 Jacket's turnovers.

The Lady Indians rolled to a 69 to 26 victory over the Union County Lady Yellow Jackets. The Lady Indians were led by Kierra Phillips with 18 points. The Lady Indians raced out to a 33 to 17 lead at the half and never looked back.

The Tribe will play at Spartanburg Tuesday night, Dorman on Friday night and come home to host Byrnes next Monday night.

Until Next Time.