ROUND 3 OF 2012 BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS PREVIEW

This time last season the powerful Gaffney Indians basketball team was sitting at home, after a mental letdown in the 1st round against a bad Byrnes team led to a 1st round upset ending their great season with an unbelievable thud. The Indians have come out this post season like a team on a mission, as they have blown out Mauldin and they hung on to defeat a very good Easley team in round 2. Let's recap the first two rounds of the 2012 playoffs and preview round 3.

Round 1 Mauldin @ Gaffney..... The Tribe started slowly on the offensive end of the floor in this one but, they got on a roll late in the 1st quarter and never looked back in blowing out the Mavericks 83 to 40. The Tribe was led by a stellar defense and an offense that executed very well against the Mauldin zone defense. The Tribe was led in scoring by sophomore L.J. Peak with 18 points. Senior Micheal Wright also hit three 3-pointers to help loosen up the Mauldin zone defense. This win was huge for the Tribe, as they got the 1st round monkey off their backs.

Round 2 Easley @ Gaffney..... The Indians came into this game knowing they were going to have to contain the Easley 3-point shooting game. The Green Wave hit 16 of them in their round 1 win over Byrnes. The Tribe jumped out to a fast start and led 24 to 14 after the 1st quarter. The Wave cut the lead to eight by halftime, as the Tribe led 39 to 31. Easley's best player is Senior forward Spencer Collins and he kept the Green Wave in the game. The Tribe started fast in the 3rd quarter and eventually built an eighteen point lead only to see the Green Wave cut it to 12 at 63 to 51 after the 3rd quarter. Collins scored 31 points through the first three quarters to keep his team in the game. The Wave made a serious run in the 4th quarter, led by 13 more points from Collins and some long 3-pointers by Alex Preston to get to within a point at 67 to 66. Quinshad Davis and L.J. Peak made baskets to build the lead back up to six but, the Green Wave would not go quietly. Micheal Wright hit two free throws with 7-seconds left to make the score 81 to 75 and seal the deal for the Indians. Spencer Collins scored at the buzzer to make the final score 81 to 77. Spencer Collins had a monster game for Easley with 44 points. The Tribe was led in scoring by Senior Quinshad Davis with 25 points and L.J. Peak scored 22 points and four dunks. Micheal Wright had a nice game with 14 points and three 3-pointers and Kerry Williams scored 13 points. The Tribes perimeter defense was a key to victory as well holding Easley to six 3-pointers. It's on to round 3 for the Tribe.

My View From The Stands.....(1) The Tribe has come out focused and playing with intensity in the playoffs. They are executing better on offense and they are also playing inspired defense. If it had not been for a superhuman performance by Easley's Spencer Collins, with 44 points, the Tribe wins easily in round 2. (2) The Tribe appears to be playing like a team on a mission and will have to play even better, as the opponents get even better. (3) Quinshad Davis is playing his best basketball of the season at the most important time of the season, PLAYOFF TIME. He scored 25 points against Easley and was a terror on the boards and defensively as well. The most important thing he is giving is great senior leadership. Senior Micheal Wright has stepped his game up as well with six 3-pointers in the playoffs and two double digit point games. Wright is also showing good senior leadership.

Round 3 Irmo @ Gaffney Preview..... I am really looking forward to this game. Number 1 Irmo coming to The Burial Ground. The defending State Champions coming to The Burial Ground. The game features the last two 4A State Champions, Gaffney 2010 and Irmo 2011. The last time these two powers played was in December of 2010 in the Finals of the Upwards Classic at Dorman. The Tribe won that game 85 to 84 in overtime. Irmo's Jordan Roper had a monster game with 43 points but, missed a free throw that would have iced the game for the Yellow Jackets by giving them a four point lead with 2.5 seconds left. He missed and the door was left open and the Tribe took advantage of the opportunity. Micheal Wright took the ball out of bounds and passed it 3/4 of the court to Quinshad Davis who caught the ball and quickly passed to L.J. Peak who drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game and send it to overtime. Then in overtime the Tribe trailed by one point 84 to 83 with five seconds left in the game. Micheal Wright drove to the basket and missed a layup but, L.J. Peak was there for the put back to give Gaffney a thrilling 85 to 84 overtime victory. It also gave them the Upwards Classic Championship. Everyone thought and hoped for a rematch of these two titans in the playoffs last season but, we know about Gaffney being upset in the 1st round which opened the door for the Irmo Yellow Jackets to roll to the State Championship and they did. We finally have the rematch but, it comes a year later than expected.

Irmo comes into this game with a 24 and 3 record. They are and have been Number 1 in the state all season. During the season they have averaged 68.1 points on offense and they have given up 49.3 points on defense. They are led by future Clemson Tigers point guard Jordon Roper. The bottom line is they are Number 1 and defending Champs for a reason, THEY ARE VERY GOOD. They beat Northwestern 63 to 37 in round 1 and Hillcrest 73 to 59 in round 2.

Gaffney comes into this game with a 20 and 5 record. They are on a roll winning 14 of their last 15 games. During the season they have averaged 69.3 points on offense and they have given up 55.6 points on defense. The Tribe is led by the nation's 21st ranked sophomore L.J. Peak, Quinshad Davis and Micheal Wright. The Tribe is playing with a purpose, to bring the State Championship back to Gaffney. In the playoffs the Tribe has defeated Mauldin 83 to 40 in round 1 and Easley 81 to 77 in round 2.

This should be one heck of a High School basketball game. The overtime game these two teams played last season is the best High School basketball game I have ever seen. If this game is half as good as that one was we are in for a good one.

Tribe Blitz will have the recap of this round 3 Playoff game between Irmo and Gaffney on Thursday February 23rd. If Gaffney wins we will also preview the Upper State Championship Game which will be Friday the 24th at the Bilo Center in Greenville.

Until Next Time.