WINDER — Adversity is nothing new to the Gainesville boys basketball team.
The Red Elephants (11-12, 7-2 Region 8-6A) used what they learned through the early-season 10-game losing streak as they rallied from 8 points down to knock off Winder-Barrow, 53-47, on the road Tuesday night.
Gainesville coach Chuck Graham credits the comeback win to the character of his team.
"I believe the charter piece -- kids never giving up," he said. "We've faced a lot of adversity this year. You know, going 0-10, and the kids never stopped fighting. Those lessons we learned are paying off right now."
On a night when Gainesville needed some help, Donsha Gaither, Robert Reisman and Ced Nicely came to the rescue.
The trio scored 19 of the team's 21 fourth-quarter points to complete the rally and seal the crucial Region 8-6A win. The win locked up the No. 2 seed in the region tournament next week and, more importantly, a guaranteed Class 6A state playoff berth.
"We needed something good to happen for us," Graham said. "Our goal was to win this game, and now, we're off to Lanier on Friday. The way we won this game tonight, this might be the start to something special."
Gaither scored 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead for good basket with 1:23 to go in the game, followed by six-straight free throws to ice the game.
"Gaither played like a senior that wanted to win," Graham said. "Defensively, he played great, and he made big free throws at the end."
Reisman and Nicely's play in the fourth quarter was just as key early on and down the stretch.
"Rob not only scored the ball for us, but he had 12 rebounds, most of which came in the fourth quarter," Graham said. "And Ced scored a couple of big buckets in the fourth quarter and one of those by wanting it more on a loose ball."
Nicely's bucket with 6:15 to go in the game brought the Red Elephants within two points, 36-34 -- the closest Gainesville had been since the early moments of the second quarter -- and Reisman gave the Red Elephants their first lead since the opening period when he knocked down a 3-pointer with 5:45 to go.
Reisman turned in a double-double performance, scoring 13 points and ripping down 12 rebounds. He also made an incredible diving save on the baseline that ricocheted off two Bulldoggs and into the hands of Nicely for the tying score, 44-44, with 1:59 to go. Nicely finished with 9 points -- 4 in the final quarter, and Dee Buffington chipped in 7.
Tyreek Perkins led the Bulldoggs (15-9, 5-4 Region 8-6A) with 19 points.
"We battled," Graham said. "We were down the entire game. There's something to be said just trying to grind something out -- basically not losing our identity. We were able to make multiple efforts covering their shooters."
Gainesville will travel to region leader Lanier on Friday. Tip is 7:30 p.m.
