4A STATE BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS PREVIEW

REGULAR SEASON FINALES

The regular season ended on Monday night with mixed results for the Tribe's boys and girls basketball teams. The season was supposed to end last Friday night but the games got snowed out. The Gaffney Indians boys team, after already wrapping up the Region 3 Championship last Tuesday night, completely dominated the Northwestern Trojans 114 to 46 to end their regular season 21 and 2 over-all and 9 and 1 in Region 3 4A. The Indians appear to be playing their best basketball of the season going into the playoffs this week.

The Gaffney Lady Indians were not as fortunate, as they had a chance to force a three way tie for the Region 3 Championship with a win over Northwestern. The Lady Indians got off to a fast start leading by ten after the 1st quarter. The game was pretty much Northwestern's the rest of the way as the Lady Trojans defeated the Lady Indians 63 to 56 to wrap up the Region 3 4A Championship. The Gaffney Lady Indians finished as the third place team in Region 3 as they finished 15 and 6 over-all and 7 and 3 in Region 3. It has been a very good season for the ladies this season, their best in quiet awhile.

IST ROUND PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS FOR THE TRIBE

As one of the two NO. 1 seeds in their playoff bracket, the Gaffney Indians will play host to a NO. 4 seed out of Region 4, the South Pointe Stallions. The Stallions come into the game with a 6 and 13 record. The game will be played on Wednesday night at The Burial Ground at 7:00 PM. Lets pack the place and show South Pointe why the Gaffney gym is called The Burial Ground.

As the NO. 3 seed out of Region 3, the Gaffney Lady Indians have to travel down to play the NO. 2 seed out of Region 4, the Ridge View Lady Blazers. The Lady Blazers come into the game with a 17 and 5 record. The game will be played tonight at Ridge View High School in Columbia. Game time is at 7:00 PM.

2ND ROUND POSSIBLE MATCH-UPS

The Gaffney Indians, if they win Wednesday night against South Pointe, would face the winner of the game between NO.2 seed out of Region 1 Westside Rams vs NO. 3 seed out of Region 2 Spartanburg Vikings. It would be a very interesting game if we play our old rivals from Spartanburg. The Indians defeated the Vikings twice during the regular season. The games were very competitive. The game would be Saturday night February 20th at The Burial Ground on the campus of Gaffney High School.

The Gaffney Lady Indians, if they win tonight against Ridge View, would face the winner of the game between NO. 1 seed out of Region 2 Dorman Lady Cavaliers vs NO. 4 seed out of Region 1 Wren Lady Hurricanes. It would be a very interesting match-up against the Lady Cavaliers if the Lady Indians could get by their first round opponent. If the Lady Indians could win their first two rounds they would have to play either Greenwood , Mauldin, York or Blythwood in the 3rd round on Monday night.

I look for the Upper State Championship for the boys to come down to the Gaffney Indians and the Hillcrest Rams as they seam to have the two best teams and they are both playing very good basketball at this time in the season.

I look for the Upper State Championship for the girls to come down to the Greenwood Lady Eagles and the Spring Valley Lady Vikings as they seam to have the two best teams. The Dorman Lady Cavaliers are my next pick for the dark horse.

FORMER INDIANS UPDATE

Donald Sims of Appalachian State, won his third Southern Conference player of the week award for this season. He won the award for his play from last week.

Until Next Tuesday.

REGION 3 4A BASKETBALL RACE UPDATES

The Region 3 4A basketball races really heated up this past week as the Gaffney Indians had three games, including a weather make-up game last night. Lets look at the results from last week and see where the Tribe's two teams stack-up in their Region races.

THE GAFFNEY INDIANS BOYS

The Indians started the week with a game at The Burial Ground against Nation Ford. The Indians all-state guard Josh Corry had his best game of the season as he exploded for 36 points in leading the Indians to a 90 to 52 rout of the Falcons. Chase Smith and Dershawn Dawkins each scored 14 points in the win. The Indians offense executed very well and the defense forced 28 Falcons turnovers.

Then on Friday night the Indians traveled to Fort Mill to face the Yellow Jackets. The Indians were determined to avenge their loss at home to the Jackets three weeks earlier. The Indians had their worst performance of the season when they fell to Fort Mill at home. This game would be different as the Indians raced out to a 16 to 8 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Indians got 19 points from Dershawn Dawkins and 18 points from Josh Corry to lead the Tribe's offense. The Indians defense did a much better job defending the three point shot in this game as Fort Mill only hit two three point shots compared to hitting nine three pointers in their four point win over the the Indians. The Indians would win this game 71 to 66 to take a two game lead over Fort Mill in the Region standings.

In the weather make-up game on Monday night, the Gaffney Indians would score early and often, as they blew out the York Cougars 94 to 56 in front of the home crowd at The Burial Ground. The Indians got big nights from Josh Corry with 27 points and Dershawn Dawkins with 24 points. Quinshad Davis added 14 points of his own in the Tribe's rout. After a very impressive week the Gaffney Indians have a record of 19 and 2 over-all and 7 and 1 in Region 3 4A.

The Gaffney Indians can clinch the Region 3 4A Championship with a win on Tuesday night at Clover or a win at home on Friday night against Northwestern. The Indians have been playing very good basketball since their loss at home against Fort Mill and look like they are beginning to peak here at playoff time. I see the Indians winning the Region Championship tonight in Clover and then having a playoff tune-up game on Friday night against Northwestern.

THE GAFFNEY INDIANS LADIES

The Gaffney Lady Indians got their week off to a good start with a blow-out at home against Nation Ford 61 to 40. Kierra Phillips had 15 points and Paris Davidson added 13 points to lead the Lady Indians.

The Lady Indians followed up their win over Nation Ford with a 46 to 40 victory over Fort Mill on Friday night. Kierra Phillps again led the Lady Indians with 10 points and Logan Davis scored 9. It was not a win with a lot of style points, but it was a win that the ladies needed to stay in the Region 3 4A race.

The make-up game with York on Monday night turned into a heartbreaking 48 to 47 loss to the Lady Cougars. Keisha Leach led the Lady Indians with 14 points and Kierra Phillips added 12. The loss to the Lady Cougars kept the Lady Indians from moving into a first place tie with Northwestern in the Region 3 standings. The Lady Indians record falls to 14 and 5 over-all and 6 and 2 in Region 3 4A.

The Gaffney Lady Indians face a huge week this week as they travel to Clover to face the Lady Blue Eagles on Tuesday night and then they host the Northwestern Lady Trojans on Friday night. Two wins by the Lady Indians could pull them into a first place tie in the Region 3 4A standings. It has been the best season in several years for the Gaffney Lady Indians and it will be very interesting as we move toward the playoffs next week.

Until Next Tuesday.

TRIBE NEWS BRIEFS ( 1ST EDITION )

Today I am going to start a feature in Tribe Blitz called Tribe News Briefs where I can quickly get you caught up on some news and information about the Gaffney Indians that I normally don't blog about. My objective with Tribe Blitz is to give you as much news and information as possible and with Tribe News Briefs Editions , that will appear periodically, it gives me more flexibility for coverage. I hope you will enjoy the 1st Edition.

STATE CHAMPIONS BASEBALL TEAM is ranked No.3 in the Class 4A preseason baseball poll.

ALL SPRING SPORTS at Gaffney High School started practice on Monday February, 1st.

TRIBE WRESTLING TEAM finished 3rd in Region 3 4A and qualified for the State Duals for the second straight season.

WZZQ FM RADIO 104.3 will broadcast the remaining Gaffney boys basketball home games to close the regular season. They will also air all playoff games for the Tribe's boys team.

GAFFNEY MIDDLE SCHOOL'S boys basketball team has had a successful season thus far as their record is 7 and 2.

GAFFNEY JV BOYS BASKETBALL improved their record to 8 and 5 with a blowout win over Clover last week.

GAFFNEY 9TH GRADE BOYS BASKETBALL team stayed unbeaten in conference play at 5 and 0 after beating Clover last week.

JOE CRAIG, football and track star at Gaffney High school, is expected to sign to play football for the Clemson Tigers on Wednesday.

GAFFNEY INDIANS FOOTBALL will open the 2010 football season in week 0 against Boiling Springs. The Indians and Bulldogs have not played since 2007 season.

GAFFNEY'S FOOTBALL JAMBOREE will be cancelled for the 2010 season because the Indians season opener is scheduled for week 0.

GAFFNEY INDIANS WILL PLAY in the Battle of the Border Football Jamboree again this August at Shelby High School. The Indians join area rivals Spartanburg and Byrnes in the event.


Lets get caught up on the basketball from last week and look ahead to this weeks games.

THE GAFFNEY BOYS basketball team got a blowout win against Clover last Tuesday night at The Burial Ground. The Indians won 76 to 48 to improve to 16 and 2 over-all and 4 and 1 in Region 3 4A play. Sophomore post player Quinshad Davis had a monster game with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

The Indians were suppose to play host to York on Friday but the game was rescheduled because of the winter storm that wreaked havoc on the area.

THE GAFFNEY GIRLS basketball team also got a blowout win over Clover as well, as they won 53 to 35 over the Lady Blue Eagles. Keisha Leach led the Lady Indians with 14 points. The Lady Indians record improves to 12 and 4 over-all and 4 and 1 in Region play.

The Lady Indians game at home against York was rescheduled because of the winter storm.

INDIANS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE for this week has the Indians playing host to Nation Ford on Tuesday night. The Indians then have a road game at Fort Mill on Friday night. In the boys game it will be a battle for first place in Region 3 4A as both the Indians and Yellow Jackets are tied atop the Region 3 standings at 4 and 1. Fort Mill defeated the Indians at The Burial Ground a couple of weeks ago. Then on Monday February 8th, the rescheduled game at home with York will be played. It will be a tough and busy week of basketball for the Indians and hopefully the weather will cooperate. GO INDIANS!!

Until Next Tuesday.

SIDNEY RICE'S TRIP THROUGH THE NFL PLAYOFFS ( PART 2 )

Well Sidney Rice's trip through the NFL playoffs came to a disappointing end for this season, as the Minnesota Vikings fell to the New Orleans Saints 31 to 28 in over-time on Sunday night in The Big Easy. The Vikings dominated the game in every phase eccept turnovers and the scoreboard. The Vikings had 5 turnovers to the Saints 1. The most critical of the turnovers came with just 19 seconds left, when Brett Favre trying to make a play, was intercepted trying to get the ball to Rice. The Vikings would have had a chance to try to win the game in regulation with a long field goal.

Sidney Rice had 4 catches for 43 yards and 1 TD in the game. For the two games that Rice played in the playoffs this season he had 10 catches for 184 yards and 4 TDs and an 18.4 per catch average. It was a very disappointing end to a fantastic breakthrough season for Sidney Rice and his NFL career. I really expect Rice to work hard during the off season and come back next season even better and continue to build his career toward NFL stardom. Good Luck Sidney, we here at Tribe Blitz and all of your fans back here in Gaffney are proud of you and we are pulling for you and your continued success in the NFL and in Life.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL UPDATE

The Tribe's boys basketball team of coach Mark Huff, suffered their first Region 3 loss of the season last Tuesday night as they fell at The Burial Ground 66 to 62 to Fort Mill. The Indians trailed by 10 points going to the 4th quarter, but were able to win the 4th quarter and have a chance to pull the game out but came up a little short. The Tribe very seldom loses at The Burial Ground but they just could not get over the hump in this one.

After suffering their first Region 3 loss of the season the Gaffney boys went on the road to Northwestern for a rematch of last season's Upper State Championship Game against the Trojans. The Indians survived, after squandering a 12 point lead in the 2nd half, as Dershawn Dawkins hit a game winning shot as time expired to give the Indians a 73 to 71 victory over the Northwestern Trojans. The Indians record improved to 15 and 2 over-all and 3 and 1 in Region 3 4A.

The Tribe's girls basketball team also went 1 and 1 last week as they were able to pound Fort Mill 56 to 27. The Lady Indians had balanced scoring and played very good defense in getting the win over the Lady Yellow Jackets.

On Friday night the Gaffney Lady Indians played at Northwestern against the unbeaten Lady Trojans. Gaffney had a 39 to 31 3rd quarter lead when Northwestern went on a 23 to 0 run to take control of the game and get the win 69 to 59. The Lady Trojans remain unbeaten at 17 and 0 and 4 and 0 in Region 3. The Gaffney Lady Indians record falls to 11 and 4 over-all and 3 and 1 in Region 3 4A.

TRIBE'S BASKETBALL GAMES THIS WEEK

The Gaffney Indians and Lady Indians basketball teams play two games at home in the friendly confines of The Burial Ground as they host Clover on Tuesday night and York on Friday night. I look for both to bounce back and have an unbeaten week as the second half of the Region 3 schedule kicks off.

FORMER INDIANS UPDATE

Donald Sims scored 28 points in leading his Appalachian State Mountaineers to an 87 to 74 victory over rival Western Carolina in Southern Conference action on Saturday night. Sims was also 9 of 11 from the field in the game.

Until Next Tuesday.

SIDNEY RICE'S TRIP THROUGH NFL PLAYOFFS ( PART 1 )

Gaffney's Sidney Rice has blossomed into a NFL star with the Minnesota Vikings this season. He has made his first Pro Bowl and he has become future Hall-of-Famer Brett Favre's go to receiver. Sidney Rice will always be a Gaffney Indian, but he has gone on to the Pros and he is making a name for himself. He has helped lead the Minnesota Vikings to the NO. 2 seed in the NFC and Tribe Blitz is going to blog about his trip through the NFL playoffs.

PART 1 THE DIVISIONAL ROUND

The first playoff game of Sidney Rice's NFL career came against America's Team the Dallas Cowboys. The game was played at the Dome in Minnesota. With the game scoreless in the first quarter Brett Favre dropped back and threw a great pass down the sideline to a well covered Sidney Rice who made a great 47 yard TD catch for a 7 to 0 Vikings lead. This was Rice's first career playoff TD reception.

With the score standing at 7 to 3 in favor of the Vikings, about halfway through the second quarter, Favre would hit Rice for a 16 yard TD. That made the score 14 to 3. The score would be 17 to 3 at the half in favor of the Vikings. Sidney Rice had both of the game's TDs.

The Minnesota Vikings would put the game away with 7:32 left in the 4th quarter as Favre would hit Gaffney's Sidney Rice with a 45 yard TD pass to make the score 27 to 3. The Vikings would go on to win the game 34 to 3 and advance to the NFC Championship Game at New Orleans on Sunday.

For his first career playoff game Rice had 6 catches for 141 yards and 3 TDs. This is a game that Sidney Rice and his faithful fans in Gaffney will not forget. Seeing Rice play all through High School with the Indians, both on the football field and the basketball court, we know that he is a big time big game player. Stay with Tribe Blitz for Part 2 of Sidney Rice's trip through the NFL playoffs next week.

INDIANS BASKETBALL WRAP UP FOR THE WEEK

The Indians won both of their games last week as they defeated Union County on Tuesday night 95 to 73 and defeated Region 3 foe Nation Ford 65 to 55 on Friday night. The Tribe is 14 and 1 overall and 2 and 0 in Region play going into their games this week.

The Lady Indians won both of their games last week as well with a 56 to 31 win over Union County and a 56 to 49 victory over Nation Ford. The Ladies are 10 and 3 overall and 2 and 0 in Region play going into their games this week.

THE TRIBE'S UPCOMING GAMES

The basketball games for this week has the Indians hosting Fort Mill on Tuesday and traveling to Northwestern on Friday night. Starting tonight the Tribe's remaining regular season schedule is against Region 3 4A opponents. Both the Tribe's boys and girls basketball teams are unbeaten in Region play and are serious Region Title contenders. Lets go out and support our basketball teams!

Until Next Tuesday.

GAFFNEY INDIANS NFL PLAYERS ( PART 2 ROCKY MCINTOSH )

Back in an earlier edition of Tribe Blitz we started looking at Gaffney Indians NFL players. We started with Part 1 Sidney Rice. Today I would like to look at Part 2 Rocky McIntosh.

Rocky McIntosh just finished his forth season as a Linebacker for the Washington Redskins. The talented McIntosh continues to improve and is another in a long line of talented NFL linebackers produced by the University of Miami Hurricanes. The 27-year-old Rocky McIntosh started 15 games for the Redskins for a second consecutive season and produced career highs with 94 tackles and two interceptions. Rocky was one of only 10 linebackers in the NFL this season with multiple interceptions.

McIntosh had major knee surgery back in late December of 2007 to repair torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee. He continues to show no ill effects from the surgery evidenced from the career year he had with the Washington Redskins during the 2009 season. I see no reasons not to expect Rocky to continue to improve and to become the leader of the Redskins defense and perhaps joining fellow Gaffney Indian Sidney Rice in the Pro Bowl in coming NFL seasons.

TRIBE SWEEPS VIKINGS AND COUGARS!!

The Gaffney Indians got 30 points from Josh Corry as they defeated the rival Spartanburg Vikings 67 to 56 last Tuesday night at The Burial Ground. Dershawn Dawkins chipped in with 13 points for the Tribe.

This past Friday night the Indians found their shooting touch in the second half as they rallied for a big hard fought Region road win over the York Cougars 88 to 75. In the first half the Indians were not hitting their shots and they were sloppy with the basketball as they committed 12 turnovers and trailed 42 to 34. The Gaffney Indians record going into this weeks games stands at 12 and 1.

In the girls game the Gaffney Lady Indians got balanced scoring and played good defense as they defeated the Spartanburg Lady Vikings 48 to 41. The game was tied going into the 4th quarter as the Lady Indians outscored the Lady Vikings 16 to 9 to get the win.

In the Friday night game at York, the Lady Indians got 13 points from Kierra Phillips and 12 from Logan Davis as they opened Region play with a big road win over the York Lady Cougars 52 to 41. The Gaffney Lady Indians record going into this weeks games stands at 8 and 3.

TRIBE ON THE ROAD

The Gaffney Indian's basketball teams are on the road for two games this week as they travel to Union County for the last non-region game of the season and then to Nation Ford on Friday night for their second Region 3 4A game of the season.

FORMER INDIANS UPDATE

Donald Sims who played on the Gaffney Indians three-peat basketball State Championship teams is now starring for the Appalachian State Mountaineers of the Southern Conference. On Saturday night at Davidson's Belk Arena Donald Sims scored a career high and arena high 44 points as he led his Mountaineers to a road victory over Davidson 78 to 68. The previous arena high for points was 41 by Davidson star Stephen Curry. The 44 points by Sims was the most by an Appalachian State player since 1974.

Sidney Rice ended his 2009 season for the Minnesota Vikings with 83 catches for 1,312 yards for a 15.8 yards per catch average and 8 TDs. His receiving yardage was 4th highest in the NFL and his receptions were 12th. Rice and his Minnesota teammates host the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL Divisional Playoffs on Sunday afternoon.

Until Next Time.

BASKETBALL UPDATE

The Gaffney Indians finished 2009 by going 2 and 1 in the Upwards Classic at Dorman High School. The Tribe ended their 2009 part of their schedule with a 9 and 1 record. Josh Corry seams like he is turning his game up a few notches, as he had a very good tournament at the Upwards Classic as he made the all-tournament team. The Indians still need to improve their over-all play if they are going to be a state championship contender in 4A this year.

The Tribe opened up the 2010 part of their schedule this past Saturday night as they defeated Byrnes 70 to 57. The Indians record improved to 10 and 1 heading into tonight's battle at home against the rival Spartanburg Vikings. The Tribe defeated the Vikings back in the first week of December by a 86 to 68 score. The Game time is 7:00 PM at The Burial Ground.

The Gaffney Lady Indians finished the 2009 part of their schedule with a third place finish in the Lady Hilltoppers Classic.

The Lady Indians opened their 2010 schedule by defeating Byrnes this past Saturday night. The Lady Indians record is 5 and 3 heading into their game against the Spartanburg Lady Vikings tonight at The Burial Ground. Game time is 5:30 PM.

FORMER INDIANS UPDATE

Sidney Rice was picked for the NFC team for the NFL Pro Bowl. This is the first All-Pro selection for Rice as he is one of nine Minnesota Vikings to make the team. Rice has blossomed into NFL stardom, this his third season in the NFL. He leads the NFC in receiving yards for the season.

Andy Strickland was signed to the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons back in December. He signed a two year contract with the Falcons this week. Strickland, the son of Indians Head Coach Phil Strickland, was undrafted in last years NFL draft but signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and played in a couple of preseason games but was released after injuring his back in a preseason game.

So lets go out and support the Tribe's basketball teams this week as they host Spartanburg tonight and as they open Region 3 4A play on Friday night at York. With a lot of hard work by the teams and their coaches and some loud support from their fans, this could be a special season for both of the Tribe's basketball teams. GO INDIANS!!!!