Rebels surprise Gaffney

Photo by LARRY HILLIARD Gaffney’s Rodney Love scored 12 points in a losing effort at Byrnes on Tuesday. The short trip to Byrnes turned into a long night for the 3-time defending state champion Gaffney Indians on Tuesday.

Jarvis King and Josh Cohen each scored nine points to lead the Rebels to a surprising 48-45 upset of the visiting Indians.

The Indians, who trailed most of the game, pulled within a point in the game’s final minute. Cohen made his foul shot but his second free throw was rebounded by the Rebels. Byrnes hit another free throw to extend its lead to three.

The Indians misfired on two three-pointers before the clock ran out.

Gaffney played the game without center Julius Wilkerson, who is playing in Saturday’s Shrine Bowl. But Gaffney coach Mark Huff said Wilkerson’s absence wasn’t the only reason for the loss.

“He would have helped but we weren’t mentally ready to play,” Huff said. “We just thought (Byrnes) would lay down for us. We have to be ready to play.”

Gaffney, which drops to 3-2, shot just 32 percent from the field.

A check of the stat sheet also showed that free throws played a deciding factor. The Indians took only six free throws making four. The Rebels went 13 for 27 at the foul line.

The Indians committed just 13 turnovers, but Huff said they came at inopportune times.

“We made costly turnovers,” he said. “We had them at bad times.”

Daniel Mitchell paced the Indians with 14 points. Rodney Love was the only other Indian in double figures with 12.

“We were just not ready to play,” Huff said. “Hopefully, we can learn from this.”

Gaffney will travel to Union on Friday.