GHS has back to the wall
Gaffney tries to snap 3-game region losing streak today
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

Ledger photo by LARRY HILLIARD Robert Butler, shown dribbling downcourt against Dorman on Tuesday, and his Gaffney teammates will try to snap a 3-game region losing streak against Spartanburg today.

There are undoubtedly easier teams to play when you're trying to snap a 3-game losing streak. But that's the challenge facing the Gaffney Indians when they travel to Spartanburg today.

"It's not a must win, but it's a big game for us," Gaffney coach Mark Huff said. "We can't afford to get any farther behind."

The Indians are currently tied for fourth place in Region II-4A at 4-4 with Dorman. Hillcrest sits atop the standings at 6-1, one game ahead of Spartanburg. Byrnes is third at 5-3.

Those standings will change after today's matchups.

"Dorman is playing Byrnes (today), so one of those teams will get a loss," Huff said. "We can pull ahead of Dorman if we win and they lose. We just can't lose anymore if we want a first-round home game."

The top two finishers in each region are guaranteed at least one home game in the playoffs.

In the teams' first meeting, the Vikings got scoring from an unlikely source - Raquintin Miller.

Miller had 19 points, including two 3s, to help the then top-ranked Vikings earn a hardfought 78-68 victory.

Huff said the Indians must avoid a repeat performance from Miller.

"We can't let a role player hurt us like he did," he said.

Spartanburg big man Omar Sanders was also a handful, knocking down some outside shots and jumping over the smaller Indians for some easy close-in baskets.

Sanders finished with a game-high 27 points and 18 rebounds. He also blocked five shots.

The Vikings' halfcourt trap seemed to disrupt the Indians' rhythm and kept them out of sync for most of the game.

Gaffney shot just 38 percent for the game, while the Vikings made 53 percent of their shots from the field.

Huff said the Indians also must get off to a better start this time around. In the first matchup, the Vikings raced to a 21-10 lead.

"We have to come ready to play," he said.

Gaffney's leading rebounding and one of its top scorers, Jeff Brown, returns today after serving a 2-game suspension for a flagrant technical foul against Hillcrest.

Huff said Brown's presence will give the Indians a boost.

"He's a double-figure scorer and one of our key post players," the Gaffney coach said.

The Vikings have lost twice on their home court in the region. Byrnes slowed the tempo to post a 47-46 win and Hillcrest took advantage of Sanders' foul trouble to come away with a win.

"We have to come out with confidence and play hard," Huff said.