Indians drop OT thriller
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

Ledger photo by LARRY HILLIARD Gaffney's Eddie Jefferies shoots over the outstretched hands of a Dorman player in first-quarter action on Tuesday. The Indians dropped to 4-4 in the region with an OT loss to the Cavs.

Dorman took Gaffney's best shot in the waning moments of regulation, shook it off, then came back to deliver the knockout in overtime.

Coleman Young led four teammates in double figures with 21 points, including six 3s, as the visiting Cavaliers topped Gaffney, 75-67. It was Gaffney's third straight region defeat.

Landon Alverson had 15 points, while Daniel Black added 14 and Walt Canty had 12 for the Cavaliers, who regrouped in overtime after giving up a 10-point fourth quarter lead.

"We just couldn't hit a clutch basket," Gaffney coach Mark Huff said. "We hit some baskets to send the game into overtime, but we couldn't hit a clutch basket in overtime."

The Cavaliers were outstanding from long range, making 11 of their 22 3-point attempts. Dorman made 49 percent of their shots, while the Indians shot just 39 percent. The Indians also struggled at the foul line, connecting on 15 of 28 free throws.

Johnny Woods had 23 points and Jazz Palmer, who returned after serving a 1-game suspension for a flagrant technical, added 22 to pace the Indians.

"Jazz and Johnny did a good job for us," Huff said.

In the overtime, Alverson put the Cavaliers up 65-63. Woods tied the game but it was all Cavaliers after that. Black scored two baskets in a row before Robert Mack converted a stickback to extend Dorman's lead to 71-65. Young added two free throws and Mack scored on an uncontested layup to seal the win.

The Cavaliers built a 53-43 lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Indians responded with a spurt to tie the game at 63 on Woods' free throw with :45.7 remaining.

Dorman held the ball for the last shot but Canty's 10-footer wouldn't fall. Gaffney regained possession with :2.4 left to play, but failed to get off a desperation shot.

The Cavaliers started the third quarter on a run to lead 46-39. Young fueled the run with two 3s, helping the Cavaliers to a 51-43 advantage at the end of three quarters.

Canty's 3 sent the teams into halftime tied at 29.

The Indians leading rebounder, Jeff Brown, was serving the second of his 2-game suspension for a flagrant technical against Hillcrest last week. His absence was felt as the Cavaliers outrebounded the Indians, 41-30.

Gaffney, which drops to 4-4 in the region, travels to Spartanburg on Friday.