Gainesville girls back on top; claim first title since 2004 (2/16)

GAINESVILLE –- Gainesville girls basketball coach Manson Hill is hoping history is on their side.

For the past seven years, the Region 7-AAA Tournament champion has advanced to the Class AAA Final Four and produced seven state champions over the past 13 years: Gainesville four, Fannin County two, and East Hall last season.

The Lady Red Elephants (23-5) took care of the first part with a 50-36 win over rival North Hall Saturday in the finals at the Gainesville gym.

“This is a great region and the history speaks for itself,” Hill said. “That doesn’t mean we’ll make it, but it means we should be competitive enough to have a chance.”

The Lady Elephants, who were taking part in their 12th straight region finals, played bridesmaid the past three seasons. But not this time.

After a back-and-forth first six minutes, Gainesville used a 12-1 run over the next six minutes to blow open the game and then cruised in the second half. Gainesville led just 12-9 before exploding for a 24-10 lead and then pushed it to 34-16 by halftime behind Jaymee Carnes, who had 16 of her team-high 25 points in the first half.

It was a continuation of a stellar game Friday in the semifinals where the Lady Red Elephants played perhaps their best half of the season in a win over Gilmer. Gainesville held North Hall to single digits in three of the four quarters and shut down the guard play of Elizabeth Williams and Bradee Burrell.

“We’re playing pretty well right now, especially on defense,” Hill said. “We did a good job on their guards and I think that was one of the keys.”

Gainesville did not let up in the second half, opening with a 9-4 run to take a 43-20 lead. North Hall closed to within 12 points twice in the fourth quarter but could get no closer.

Taylor Ricketts had 12 points for Gainesville on four 3-pointers.

Letiecia Davenport had 25 points to lead North Hall but got little help. Williams finished with five points, none in the second half, before fouling out with more than four minutes left in the game.

Gainesville will take on the Westminster vs. Southside loser, from Region 5-AAA, next Saturday (Feb. 23) at home in the first round of the playoffs.

North Hall, meanwhile, will face the No. 3 seed from 5-AAA at home.