WEB CAST.
Many times you hear the saying, "survive and advance" and that's just what Garner did on Monday night in the first round of the State Playoffs as they downed a scrappy Greenville Rose squad 81-63.
In the past couple of games, Garner has come out of the gate on fire, but on Monday night, the Trojans came out flat and as a result, Rose took a 5-0 lead to start the game, but Garner wouldn't die, as yet again, the fantastic trio came around. Gavin Wilson and Stephon Drane put Garner on their back and led the Trojans to a 23-13 lead after one.
However, the Rampants just would not die as they went on a run of their own to cut the Garner lead to single digits over halfway into the second quarter, as the Trojans scored just 12 second quarter points, which allowed Rose to make a comeback and pull to within one at 35-34 going to the locker room.
The third quarter went back and forth as the Rampants built a four point lead in the third, but Garner came storming back as Stephon Drane took over for the Trojans with 10 third quarter points, however, even Drane couldn't put Garner ahead as the two teams were tied at 54 after three.
In the fourth quarter, the Trojans continued to pound Rose, who were playing with just nine players due to injury and Garner got the Rampants into some deep foul trouble. Since Rose was in foul trouble, the Trojans pounded the ball inside to Drane and Dominique Reed, but the Trojans also got some break way's off their full court press and point zone defenses.
With Rose down and time running out, the Rampants decided to foul, and Garner went to the line where in the fourth quarter, they were 14/17 from the line and for the game were 31/35 (88%). The free throws allowed Garner to pad the lead and the Trojans pulled out the 81-63 win.
Garner (17-8) will advance to the second round of the playoffs where they will face the Fighting Scots of Scotland County High School who come in as the number two seed in the Southeastern Conference.
The Scots (15-11) defeated 71st 53-48 on Monday night in their first round game. The Scots will visit Trojan Coliseum for a 7:00 tip off, the game can be heard LIVE on GarnerTrojans.com beginning at 6:30.
***Coach Mays and the Lady Trojans traveled to Ashley High School on Monday night, and came up short vs. the Sreaming Eagles, losing 42-38. Congratulations to Coach Mays and the Lady Trojans for an outstanding season!***
Trojans Survive Round One
