UPPER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RECAP (2012)

Indians Win Upper State Championship with a 55 to 47 victory over the Dorman Cavaliers on Friday night at the Bilo Center in Greenville. The game was back and forth in the 1st half, as Dorman led 15 to 12 at the end of the 1st quarter. The lead changed hands several times in the 2nd quarter with Gaffney ending the 1st half with a 29 to 28 lead.

The Tribe took control of the game with a 12 to 2 run to start the 3rd quarter to increase their lead to 41 to 30. Gaffney's starting point guard Cobby McDowell had to leave the game midway of the 3rd quarter with an ankle sprain. The Cavaliers would cut the lead to 43 to 36 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

The 4th quarter started with Gaffney's L.J. Peak scoring on his third dunk of the game, by driving the baseline and slamming it one handed, to increase the Tribe's lead to 45 to 36. The Cavaliers were not ready to pack it in for the night. After being held to only eight points through the first 12:30 of the 2nd half they would start a comeback. The Cavaliers went on a 7 to 0 run to cut the Gaffney lead to 45 to 43 with 4:32 left in the game. The comeback was fueled by their half court trapping defense, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside's three-point play and then a dunk and two free throws by Curtis Webb. During the comeback attempt by Dorman, the Indians had some trouble with the half court trap, which is Dorman's bread and butter. The injury to starting point guard Cobby McDowell, the Tribe's best ball handler, was becoming a major concern. Behind the strong senior leadership of Quinshad Davis and Micheal Wright, the Tribe got it back together and held Dorman scoreless over the next 3:31 of the game to pull away. Davis had a key basket and a couple of free throws and Wright made 5 of 6 free throws down the stretch and Peak had a basket and a free throw to finish off the game and win the 2012 Upper State Championship for the Gaffney Indians. The Tribe won the game 55 to 47. The Tribe's record improves to 22 and 5 and they have won 16 of 17 after starting the season 6 and 4.

My View From The Stands.....(1) The Gaffney fans turned out in full force and were a factor in the Tribe's victory. (2) The Tribe played outstanding defense in the 2nd half holding Dorman to 19 2nd half points. (3) L.J. Peak had three very impressive dunks and scored a game high 15 points. (4) Gaffney seniors Quinshad Davis and Micheal Wright continues to lead this team with their leadership skills and with their play on the court. They refuse to let the Indians lose. (5) Hopefully the Tribe will have a healthy Cobby McDowell back for the State Championship game against Lexington. He has had a good season running the Gaffney offense. He was missed during Dorman's run in the 4th quarter Friday night.

TRIBE FACTS..... Gaffney plays Lexington for the 2012 4A State Basketball Championship Friday night at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. This is a rematch of the 2010 State Championship Game when Gaffney defeated Lexington 71 to 57.

TRIBE FACTS..... Head Coach Mark Huff is now 6 and 0 in Upper State Championship Games with Gaffney. He is now 10 and 0 in Upper State Championship Games for his career.

Tribe Blitz will have a State Championship Game Preview on Thursday March 1st.

Until Next Time.