Gaffney goes for 6-0 start
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

Ledger photo by LARRY HILLIARD Robert Butler and his Gaffney teammates will be looking to remain undefeated at Dorman today.

The Gaffney boys basketball team would like to ring in the new year without a loss.

That might happen if the Indians can beat the homestanding Dorman Cavaliers today.

Gaffney coach Mark Huff said the Cavaliers will offer a stern test for his undersized 5-0 Indians.

"Dorman is very good," Huff said. "They have a talented point guard and size."

The talented point guard Huff is referring to is Woodruff transfer Will Dawkins, who is coming off a 27-point performance in the Cavaliers' last game.

"He is quick," Huff said. "He can shoot from the outside and he also has the ability to penetrate."

Dawkins isn't the Cavs only threat. Offguard Coleman Young is a dangerous 3-point shooter, Huff said.

Dorman also has some capable inside scoring threats.

"They will do a lot screening and will take the inside shot," he said.

The resurgent Cavaliers are off to an 8-1 start under new coach Thomas Ryan. Huff said the Cavaliers are running more set plays under Ryan.

Gaffney improved to 5-0 with an exciting 63-60 win over the visiting Rebels on Friday.

Gaffney trailed by as many as seven points in the third quarter before taking the lead 51- 50 on Josh Corry's 3-pointer with 3:15 left to play.

Byrnes regained the lead on Jason Logan's stickback off his own miss. But Corry tied the game with a free throw at 52, then put the Indians up by two points with two more free throws with 1:49 remaining.

Anthony Johnson tied the game with a jumper before 5-foot-8 point guard Jazz Palmer grabbed a rebound underneath the basket and scored to give the Indians the lead for good at 56-54.

Huff said he's pleased with his team's effort, but disappointed in the high number of turnovers his team is committing.

"We aren't playing pretty," he said. "We are turning the ball over an average of 23 times a game. But we are forcing 24 turnovers a game. Defensively, we are getting after people."

"We need to execute a little better on offense. We are running our offense pretty well, but we have to do a better job of taking care of the ball. But you can't be too disappointed with a 5-0 record."

The Cavaliers are coming off a 1-point overtime loss to region rival Hillcrest. That means the Cavaliers will be pulling out all stops to avoid an 0-2 region start.

"There will be a big crowd," Huff said. "There is always a big crowd when Dorman and Gaffney play."