Indians still perfect
Dawkins sinks free throws to lift Gaffney over Cavs
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

Ledger photo by LARRY HILLIARD Gaffney guard Robert Butler looks for an open teammate against Dorman on Wednesday.

Gaffney boys basketball coach Mark Huff proved prophetic when he told his team it would pull out a hard-fought victory against Dorman on Wednesday.

After grabbing an offensive rebound, Ty Dawkins was fouled and hit the game-winning free throw to give the Indians a 56-55 victory.

Dawkins hit the free throw with just :07 left on the clock.

"It was a game of runs," Huff said. "I told our guys that I had no doubt we were going to win the game because we kept on coming back."

After Dorman's Landon Alverson scored to tie the game at 55, the Indians ran a play for leading-scorer Josh Corry, who missed a contested jumper. The ball bounded to Dawkins, who was grabbed immediately by a Dorman player.

The Indians have shown marked improvement from the foul line since struggling there in their season-opening win over York. Gaffney made 14 of 16 free throws against the Cavaliers, but none bigger than Dawkins'.

"Ty did a great job of standing there and making that free throw," Huff said. "I've been a coach for 18 years and free throw shooting is something that kids don't do well."

Corry had 15 points to pace the Indians, who improve to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in region play. While awaiting Dawkins to shoot his free throws, Dorman's Coleman Young began jawing at Corry in an attempt to incite the sophomore into a technical foul. But Corry stayed poised and refused to be lured into a confrontation.

Dorman now has lost two games in a row after an 8-0 start.

Dorman leading scorer Will Dawkins wasn't a scoring factor early, but exploded for 19 points, including five 3-pointers.

Dorman went on a 9-0 spurt to erase a 2- point deficit and lead 37-32 in the third quarsports ter. The Indians responded with a run to tie the game at 42 at the end of the third quarter on David Dewberry's two free throws.

Dorman led 51-48 before Robert Butler knotted the game with a 3-pointer. The score was tied two more times in the game's final two minutes before Dawkins' free throws.

Gaffney will host Chesnee at 7:30 p.m. at the Substation II Christmas Tournament.

In girls' varsity action, Ashlen Dewart scored 21 points to power Dorman to an 80-30 victory over the Lady Indians.

The Lady Cavaliers went on an 18-0 run to open a 24-4 first-quarter lead.

Keisha Leach had 10 points to lead Gaffney.