Defense takes a holiday in Indians' win over Cougars

Photo by LARRY HILLIARD Gaffney's Josh Corry shoots over a York Cougar during first-half action on Friday. Corry scored 27 points to lead the Indians to a victory over York in the region-opener for both teams. It was a good result, but Gaffney High boys basketball coach Mark Huff didn't seem that happy after a 97-76 region-opening victory over York on Friday.

"We'll take the 97 points, but dad-gum giving up 76 points isn't very good," Huff said. "We have to play a lot better (at York)."

The first quarter gave an indication of what type of game it would be as both teams raced up and down the court with little regard for defense. Chase Smith and Jeff Brown had back-to-back layups to give the Indians a 22-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Indians started the second quarter on a 4-0 run before the Cougars closed within 39-32. But Josh Corry, who led the Indians with 27 points, keyed an 8-0 run that helped the Indians to a 49-38 cushion at halftime. It could have been more. With 1.7 seconds left before the break, the Indians inbounded the ball underneath the York basket. Brown caught the long pass, but his 25-foot jumper just rimmed out as the horn sounded.

Corry had a big third quarter with a 3- pointer and two hoops that increased Gaffney's edge to 62-45.

The Indians led by as many as 24 points in the fourth quarter, but their lack of defensive intensity showed as the Cougars sliced the deficit to 12. Jeryl Homes ignited the comeback with 16 of his game-high 35 points during the fourth quarter.

But the Indians regained the momentum to stretch out their lead in the game's closing minutes.

Brown added 18 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds for the Indians, who improve to 11-2 and 1-0 in the region.

Huff did praise his team for its unselfish play on offense.

"They enjoy playing with each other and they like to hit the open man," Huff said.

The Indians play their final non-region game of the season against visiting Union on Tuesday. They return to region action on Friday against Nation Ford.