Calling up the reserves
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

Ledger photo by LARRY HILLIARD Gaffney's Jazz Palmer will miss today's game at Byrnes after receiving a one-game suspension for a flagrant technical at the conclusion of Tuesday's game against Hillcrest.

The Gaffney Indians will be shorthanded against Byrnes today. But it's not because several Indians are on the injured list.

Gaffney shooting guard Jazz Palmer received a 1-game suspension and Jeff Brown will miss two games after both players were whistled for flagrant technical fouls for their actions following Tuesday's last-second loss to secondranked Hillcrest.

Palmer was whistled for throwing the basketball, while Brown was hit with a flagrant technical for verbally abusing a referee when his last-second shot was blocked.

The outbursts happened after officials failed to call a foul on a block of Brown's potential game-winning, close-in shot.

"I understand you have to have rules," Huff said. "It was an emotional game. There were a lot of things that happened at the end of the game. We were playing the No. 2 ranked team in the state and our emotions got the best of us. It's something that you just can't do. We have to handle those things better."

Palmer's absence means Ty Dawkins, Eddie Jefferies and Emison Hughes will see more time at shooting guard today. Reserve Johnny Woods will start in Brown's place. The minutes for Jared Teague and David Dewberry also will increase.

Huff said each member of the team will have to do a little more to make up for the loss of Palmer and Brown, who were averaging a combined 24 points a game.

"We aren't going to change what we do, but now the other players will have a chance to play more," Huff said.

Palmer played a huge role in the Indians' three-point win over Byrnes earlier in the season, grabbing a rebound underneath the basket and scoring to give the Indians the lead for good at 56-54.

Gaffney trailed by as many as seven points in the second half.

"Byrnes is very athletic," Huff said. "(Jason) Logan is a kid who dunked on us a couple of times in the first game."

"I feel like this is the best team Brynes has had in a while," Huff added.

Byrnes is 3-3 in the region and heading into today's clash with momentum after beating Spartanburg on Tuesday. The Indians are tied for second in the region with Spartanburg at 4-2.

Rebounding and defense will be the keys to the game, according to Huff.

"We can't give them second opportunities," he said. "We are going to have to defend their offense well."