Indians to honor team's seniors
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

Gaffney's Robert Butler and the rest of the team's seniors will be honored prior to the start of the 8 p.m. game today with Mauldin.

Ask Gaffney coach Mark Huff about guard Jazz Palmer and he can't stop talking about the senior.

"He just hustles all the time," Huff said. "He played this year on an injured ankle and is still one of our leading scorers. He just loves the game and loves to compete."

Palmer and five other seniors, including Robert Butler, Johnny Woods, Ty Dawkins, Eddie Jefferies and Jared Teague, will be honored prior to the start of today's game with Mauldin.

Each senior has contributed to the team's success, Huff said.

Butler turned in one of his best games of the season in the Indians' narrow win over Boiling Springs on Tuesday. Butler had eight assists and no turnovers in the 3-point win.

Woods has provided the spark of energy off the bench, while Dawkins has hit a couple of big shots in recent games.

Jefferies and Teague have been valuable reserves.

"They have all worked extremely hard," Huff said.

Huff hopes the pregame ceremony won't overshadow the importance of the game. With a win, the Indians could pull within a half game of firstplace Hillcrest if the Rams lose to Spartanburg.

Gaffney seems to peaking at the right time after snapping a three-game losing streak last week. The losing streak coincided with the suspensions of Jeff Brown and Palmer for flagrant technical fouls against Hillcrest.

"Getting those two kids back has made a big difference," said Huff, who earned his 200th win as Gaffney coach on Tuesday.

In the first matchup with Mauldin, Josh Corry came up big, scoring 28 points, including seven in a row, during a crucial fourth-quarter stretch to lift the Indians to a 60-55 victory.

With the score tied at 41 with 5:15 left in the fourth, Corry hit a 3, a 2-point basket and two free throws to give the Indians a lead they would never relinquish.

The Indians also were clutch down the stretch at the free throw line, hitting seven of eight, including two each by Jefferies, Palmer and Corry and one by Brown.

"Mauldin will try to be a spoiler," Huff said. "Their point guard is good and they have a couple of big players who hurt us."