Indians open region schedule against improved Rebels
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

Don't let the Byrnes Rebels' 3-3 record fool you. Gaffney boys basketball coach Mark Huff believes this is the best Rebel team in years.

"I feel like this is the best Rebel team we've faced in a long time," said Huff, whose team opens the region season at Byrnes today at 8 p.m. "They are very athletic."

Huff said the Rebels' record is misleading because they've played many of their games without their football players.

The Rebels boast dangerous inside and outside players, according to Huff.

"They have a 6-4 inside guy that can hurt you anywhere on the court," he said. "The player can take you one-on-one and drive to the basket."

Byrnes also possesses some outside shooters who can drill the 3- pointer.

Gaffney, 4-0, is coming off a dominating 68-43 victory at Rock Hill on Tuesday. After the Bearcats opened the game on a 6-0 run, the Indians responded with an 18-8 spurt. By halftime, the 6-point Rock Hill lead had turned into a 40- 19 advantage for the Indians.

"The effort was definitely good," Huff said. "Rock Hill tried to run with us, which is like playing into our advantage. We are continuing to get a little better."

But one area where the Indians haven't gotten better is taking better care of the basketball. The Indians are averaging 24 turnovers a game.

"We aren't going to be able to turn it over that many times and beat teams in our region," he said.

Speaking of the region, Huff said it's important to open the region schedule with a victory.

"Our region is the most balanced that it's been," he said. "I feel like if you can win that first region game, then you have some other teams trying to play catchup."

Today's slate of games will begin at 5 p.m. with a matchup between the Gaffney and Byrnes jayvee teams. That game will be followed by the Lady Indians vs. Byrnes at 6:30.