TRIBE ENDS JANUARY FIRST IN REGION 3 4A

The Tribe started the month of January in an unimpressive fashion going 3 and 1 after the holidays. They were in last place in Region 3 4A after their first Region game, a surprising loss at Lancaster. They followed up the Lancaster loss with another lackadaisical performance at Rock Hill, a game they did win 74 to 66. It appears that they have refocused, as their last four games in January have been more Gaffney like. They ended the month of January on a 5 game winning streak and they stand alone at the top of the Region 3 4A standings at 19 and 1 overall and 5 and 1 in the Region. Lets look at the last four games.

Gaffney @ Spartanburg..... On January 21st the Indians traveled over to play old rival Spartanburg. Less than a week earlier the Indians had lost at Lancaster. To make things even more interesting, Spartanburg beat Lancaster after Lancaster had beaten Gaffney. Was the balance of power changing in Region 3 4A ? NOT HARDLY! The Indians got a visit from former Indians great and current Minnesota Vikings WR Sidney Rice before the game. Rice would watch the Indians jump out to a 12 to 0 lead and never look back, as the Tribe made a statement with a 101 to 77 rout of the Vikings. Freshman phenom L.J. Peak led the Indians with 26 points and Sr. Willy Smith had 14.

Northwestern @ Gaffney..... The Tribe finally had a game at home in The Burial Ground. This was the first game at home since the championship game of the Substation II Holiday Invitational all the way back on December 21st. Northwestern came into the game a very hot team. IT DIDN'T MATTER, Gaffney ran out to 42 to 19 halftime lead and coasted in the 2nd half, as they built the lead to as many as 26 points. The Indians defeated the Trojans 80 to 58 behind 20 points from Jr. Quinshad Davis and 17 from Sr. Dershawn Dawkins.

Rock Hill @ Gaffney..... Three days after their 22 point win over Northwestern, the Tribe would pound the Rock Hill Bearcats by 22 points as well. The Indians defeated the taller Bearcats 84 to 62. L.J. Peak led a very balanced Gaffney offense with 13 points. The Indians had 12 players to score in this game.

Clover @ Gaffney..... So the Indians were back out on the floor less than 24 hours after their rout of Rock Hill, as they hosted a rescheduled game against Clover. This was a big game to close out the month of January, as both Clover and Gaffney came into this game with 4 and 1 records in Region 3 4A. Both teams only Region losses were to Lancaster. You had contrasting styles with Clover trying to keep the game a half court game and Gaffney with their pressure full court game. Clover was able to make it an ugly game, as they controlled tempo with their slow down offense and very good half court defense. The score was only 23 to 17 at the half. Gaffney was able to force a little faster tempo in the 2nd half, but missed easy shots and a lot of missed free throws kept Clover in the game. Clover was able to cut the Gaffney lead to 49 to 44 with less than a minute to play. The Tribe finally hit some free throws, as "Q" Shands hit two clutch free throws and Dershawn Dawkins hit four clutch free throws down the stretch to nail down the Tribe's 55 to 44 win. L.J. Peak led Gaffney with 16 points and he made some very big defensive plays down the stretch as well. This win puts Gaffney in sole possession of first place in Region 3 4A with a 5 and 1 Region record and they are 19 and 1 overall.

My View From The Stands..... It appears that the Indians have refocused after a mid season let down, as they have won five in a row heading down the stretch of the regular season. They are 5 and 1 in Region 3 4A play and Clover is sitting at 4 and 2 with Lancaster and Northwestern at 3 and 3. There are four Region games left in the season and if the Tribe can keep from getting the BIG HEAD they should be in good shape. Their are two things that I see the Indians need to improve on (1) FREE THROW SHOOTING! Some games they shoot them good and some they don't. IT COULD COST THEM IN A CLOSE GAME! Just look at the Lancaster game when they lost by five and they were only 10 of 24 from the free throw line. (2) DEFENSIVE INTENSITY! At times their defensive pressure looks a little lazy. Just look at the Spartanburg game, they gave up only 16 points to the Vikings in the 1st half but they gave up 61 in the 2nd half.

TRIBE FACTS..... Fifteen of Gaffney's nineteen wins have been by double digits.

Remaining Regular Season Schedule..... has the Tribe hosting Lancaster tonight, as they try to avenge their only loss of the season. Friday February 4th they travel to Clover for a key Region 3 game. On Tuesday February 8th they travel down to Northwestern for another key Region 3 battle. Then they come home to The Burial Ground on Friday February 11th to close the regular season with rival Spartanburg. If the Tribe plays like they can and the ball bounces the right way they should have the Region 3 Title wrapped up possibly by this weekend.

FORMER INDIAN UPDATE..... Gaffney's Donald Sims who played on the Indians' three peat State Championship teams of 2003, 2004 and 2005 has become Appalachian State's all time leading scorer.

GO INDIANS!!!

Until Next Time.