GHS boys hoops cruises past Buchholz

Always the hottest ticket in town, the early season boys basketball game between Buchholz and Gainesville high schools started with a standing-room-only crowd Friday at the Purple Palace.

Unfortunately for the Bobcats, by the time the third quarter began there were plenty of seats available, as many exited early with the Purple Hurricanes cruising by 20 points.

Gainesville’s early lead was a result of pressure defense that forced Buchholz into turnovers, which translated to transition buckets for the Hurricanes. No. 1 (Class 5A) Gainesville kept its focus and effort in the third quarter and prevented the Bobcats from finding a rhythm or making a run en route to a 72-44 win.

The 28-point margin was the third largest in the series in the last 11 years and the only 20-plus win between the two schools since the 1999 season, the year Gainesville won the state championship.

“Our game plan was to take TJ (Hall) and Greg (Gantt) out and we did for the most part,” said Buchholz coach Bob Horodyski, whose team (2-2) will host Gainesville Feb. 6. “Other guys killed us and their defense was solid and was better than our offense.”

Gantt led the Hurricanes (2-0) with 15 points and three steals, but Gainesville got 13 points and six rebounds from senior forward Anthony Nwadigo and 14 points from reserve guard Matt Huber.

“I was pleased with the effort of our defense for sure,” said Kelly Beckham, who is in his first season as Gainesville coach after 24 years at Bronson. “We kept them off balance and we are fortunate to have him hit some big shots and make some plays on offense as well.”

The win, which was the 21st out of the last 28 meetings for the Hurricanes, was No. 300 for longtime assistant coach John Hellrung, who has been with the program the last 17 years.

“It’s just another win for me,” said Hellrung, who has been on two state title winning teams in 1999 and 2000. “I have been very fortunate to coach with four excellent coaches (Frank Wickes, Anthony Long, Tony Wise and Beckham) who have kept me around and I have learned different stuff from all of them.”