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Hoops are Back! Play Strong.
65-52
Score of the 2023 boys title game
Cherokee Bluff beat Gainesville
55-30
Score of the 2023 girls title game
Lakeview beat North Hall
BY THENUMBERS LANIERLAND
25
Most Lanierland titles won by a boys team East Hall
7
Most consecutive Lanierland titles won by a boys team East Hall (1994-2000)
15
Most Lanierland titles won by a head coach Seth Viving 10 with East Hall boys; 4 with East Hall girls; 1 with Johnson girls
4
Most consecutive Lanierland titles won by a girls team
Gainesville (1992-1995) West Hall (1997-2000) Flowery Branch (2015-2018)
17
Most Lanierland titles won by a girls team East Hall
2 1st time Lanierland champs
Lakeview Academy girls (2023) Cherokee Bluff boys (2023)
1965
Year a team outside of Hall County won Lanierland Forsyth County girls
Year Lanierland was founded by C.W Davis.
BOYS BRACKET PREVIEW
The popular opinion among the nine head coaches is that Cherokee Bluff, East Hall, Gainesville, and Lakeview are the favorites to win the 65th Lanierland championship.
If all four win their first-round matchups, Cherokee Bluff will face Lakeview and East Hall will face Gainesville in the semifinals.
Of course, no one is looking past their firstround matchups, but most of the coaching field was eager to toss out their favorites.
WHO’S GOING TO WIN IT ALL? TALENTED FIELD MAKES IT TOUGH TO PICK
Cherokee Bluff head coach Josh Travis didn’t add his team, who won the tournament last year, to the favorites list but is the only coach to make a pick to win it all.
“I consider East Hall, Lakeview and Gainesville to be my favorites,” Travis said. “All three have extremely talented rosters. If I were forced to pick one team, I would expect Gainesville to be holding the trophy at the end of the tournament.”
Gainesville is no stranger to hoisting the trophy. After all, Big Red has won the tournament 24 times and has a deep, talented roster.
Head coach Charlemagne Gibbons didn’t back down when asked, saying he expected his team to be there.
By BO WILSON
“I hope we are the favorites coming into this year’s event,” he said. “Several teams return good players who are well-coached, but we feel our guys should be there in the end.”
East Hall head coach Joe Dix’s answer was pretty simple: “Gainesville, Lakeview and Bluff.”
Meanwhile, Lakeview head coach Benjie Wood immediately said Cherokee Bluff, East Hall and Gainesville.
“Well, you gotta start with Cherokee Bluff because they’re defending champions,” he said.
“They’ve been rolling through everybody, so they’ll be really good. East Hall is loaded. Gainesville is loaded, so there’s a ton of talent over there. There are some really good teams that you have to compete with, but you should have to beat somebody really good in this tournament.”
Jarvis Davenport, whose squad finished third last year, echoed the other coaches.
“I believe the defending champion Cherokee Bluff, East Hall, and Gainesville are the odds-on favorites to win,” he said. “They have the most players coming back and have the experience needed to win in close games in the tournament. It’s always fun to see who comes out on top, though.”
Regardless of who the favorites are, Lanierland will quickly change the perceived narrative. That is what makes Lanierland one of the best holiday traditions in Northeast Georgia.
Chuck Graham, who has won the tournament with Gainesville, said he loves competing in Lanierland.
“This tournament is like no other tournament in the country,” he said. “You cannot recreate the atmosphere and the prestige of this tournament. It literally prepares you going into region play and
PHOTO BY COURTNEY KIDD
state tournament play.”
But winning Lanierland is not easy. It’s three grueling days of action. All coaches say you must have the survival and advance mentality to make it to the championship.
This year, there will be two opening boys games simultaneously. No. 5 seed Lakeview takes on No. 4 seed Flowery Branch at East Hall, while No. 3 seed North Hall battles No. 6 seed East Hall at North Hall. Both games tip off at 5:30 p.m.
The Falcons return guards Landon Mealor and Jack Huey, and head coach David Hawkins said,
although young, his team is making strides in the right direction.
“We have been able to play a lot of young guys early in the season, which hopefully leads to them being ready and not intimidated going into the tournament.”
Lakeview, however, returns several key players, including big men Tayden Ware and Justyce Sadler.
“They are way ahead of where we were last year because the kids have been in the system,” Wood said. “They’re able to play a little bit free because
they understand the expectations and standards, so we’re definitely ahead of where we were last year.”
North Hall lost six key players to graduation but returned some talented guys, such as big man Cole Hulsey and guards Micah Jimmerson and Gunner Spain.
“We play as a unit, so guys sometimes give of themselves to be a part of something bigger than them individually,” Davenport said. “This team does an amazing job of playing for each other and is starting to fill the roles needed to win.”
As for the Vikings, junior Jamarcus Harrison leads a young roster full of talent, including sophomore Bray Langston and junior Chasen Jones.
“I like where we are right now,” Vikings coach Joe Dix said. “We’re still kind of figuring some things out. I think these kids have a level of confidence that I hope we can continue to build on. I think we’ve grown some, and we’ve still got some growing to do, but I like where we are.”
In the two nightcaps, No. 1 seed Cherokee Bluff will play No. 8 West Hall at East Hall, and No. 2 seed Gainesville will play Chestatee at North Hall.
The Bears are a clear favorite to return to the championship game with last year’s tournament MVP Boston Kersh, Cooper Glover and Tyler Underwood back.
“We have a balanced team where everyone that sees action is very important to our success,” Travis said. “We’ve done a great job of playing as a team so far this season.”
West Hall has dealt with some adversity early in the season, losing 6-foot-8 post Teryk Tilley, but has point guard and four-year starter Xavier Felix and guard Troy Smith back.
“We’ve had to overcome some adversity, but I think overall, we learned some valuable lessons that will benefit us in the games ahead,” Graham
Gainesville also returns several key players, including guard Luke Nordholz and Brandon Nelson. Newcomer Kevin White has taken over as point guard. 6-foot-8 forward Charlie Gersmehl gives the Red Elephants a combo threat inside and out, and guard Zeke Amir is back.
“We are defending and playing extremely hard,” Gibbons said. “Our returning guys are leading the charge daily for being the hardest-playing team on the court. You can see it in the way we compete each day in practice.”
Chestatee lost scoring threat Colton Wilbanks and point guard Josh Bull to graduation. But head coach Alan Griffin said senior post players Ethan Dunn, Sebastian Spinelli and Elian Salcido have stepped up.
“We lost a big senior group with explosive players,” Griffin said. “Now, we get the opportunity to start and play with many young players. So, we are learning how to play with each other. We’re young but have exciting potential.”
PHOTO BY LEE HEARD
BOYS PLAYERS TO WATCH
TAYDEN WARE
The traditional tournament powers, East Hall and Gainesville are loaded.
Defending champion Cherokee Bluff has had a blistering start to the season, and Lakeview Academy brings almost everyone back from last season’s GIAA state championship team.
But who might play spoiler among the rest of the field? Can North Hall make a run? Will Flowery Branch have a say so? What about Chestatee? And West Hall has a lot returning.
Regardless of who will hoist the coveted Lanierland gold ball trophy, there are plenty of players to watch in this year’s tournament.
As we look at the 2024 Lanierland players to watch, we find another group of athletic players who can get it done on the inside and out.
East Hall has a group of shooters who can score anywhere on the floor.
Cherokee Bluff head coach Josh Travis says the Vikings have the best athlete in the tournament: 6-foot-4 combo guard Jamarcus Harrison.
“Playmaker is what I think of when I think of him,” Travis said about Harrison. “He can hit from outside but is much more dangerous when he puts it on the floor and gets to the paint.”
Harrison is one of several players to watch from Rabbittown. Dynamic 6-foot-6 sophomore Bray Langston can play anywhere on the floor, and East Hall head coach Joe Dix says he is one of the top 10 players in his class in Georgia.
“He’s long and athletic,” East Hall head coach Joe Dix said. “He’s a Division I prospect who can play multiple positions.”
Travis said Langston has the most potential of anybody in the tournament.
BRANDON NELSON
KERSH
SHOOTERS, DEFENSE FILL BOYS’
FIELD
Story by BO WILSON
“He is a very good young high school player but probably has the most potential of anybody in the tournament,” Travis said.
Also, keep an eye on Chasen Jones and Koen Bryant.
Cherokee Bluff returns a deep lineup with several playmakers, including multi-talented senior guard Boston Kersh.
“He’s a big, long guard that scores all over the floor,” Travis said. “He’s a match-up nightmare for almost any high school.”
Alongside Kersh are guards Tyler Underwood and Cooper Glover.
“Tyler is the best on-ball defender in the tournament, and Cooper is a versatile guard that defends all five positions in a high school game and gets to the paint to create for others,” Travis said.
Meanwhile, off Lakeview Drive, head coach Benjie Wood returns seven contributors from last season’s title team, including big men, 6-foot-6 forwards Tayden Ware and Justyce Sadler. Also back are guards Brock
newcomers Jude Ellis and Keelan Harper in the back court.
In Sardis, Chestatee’s senior post player Ethan Dunn has emerged as a threat.
“He has become a scoring threat with his back to the basket,” Chestatee head coach Alan Griffin said.
North Hall head coach Jarvis Davenport returns forward Cole Hulsey and guard Micah Jimmerson. Both have been key for the Trojans early on.
“We count on Micah to score when he gets opportunities within our offense,” Davenport said. “And we expect Cole to control the paint and finish inside.”
Off Hog Mountain Road in Flowery Branch, the Falcons have senior guard Landon Mealor and junior guard Jack Huey.
“Landon brings a leader to the court with the ability to impact the game from 3-point range,” Branch head coach David Hawkins said. “Jack also can impact the game from deep and getting to the rim.”
In Oakwood, the Spartans will look to Xavier Felix and Troy Smith to control the tempo.
“Xavier Felix is the heart and soul of our team,” West Hall head coach Chuck Graham said. “I’m expecting big things from Troy again this year.”
In the city, Gainesville returns several playmakers in guards Brandon Nelson and Luke Nordholz and newcomer Kevin White, who will play point guard. 6-foot8 big man Charlie Gersmehl will add a big-time presence in the paint. Also, watch out for guard Zeke Amir.
“This group is deep and has several good players, both returning and new,” Gainesville head coach Charlemagne Gibbons said. “Other guys will step up to the forefront as the season progresses.”
GIRLS BRACKET PREVIEW
TALENTED GIRLS’ FIELD
The 65th Lanierland girls tournament could be a three-point shooting clinic.
The field is full of talented guards who can knock down shots as soon as they walk into the gym, which could make this year’s tournament really fun to watch.
The annual three-day tournament begins on Dec. 19, and the first two days are split between East Hall and North Hall. The finals will be played at Gainesville on Dec. 21.
Lakeview is coming off its first title in program history and returns a deep roster of talent. They’ll open against West Hall, who beat Johnson, 4642, in the play-in game on November 22.
The Lady Lions, who won the school’s first GIAA state championship, have the bulk of their roster returning, including some new additions. Emyrie Combs, Taliah Gather and Taylor Clark were key early on and have stepped up without injured guard Dynesty Putman.
“Our returners know exactly what it takes to win at the highest level, and they’ve really stepped up as leaders,” Head coach Ken Huffman said. “The new players have added fresh energy and depth to the roster, and we’ve done a good job
BRACKET SHOULD BE FUN TO WATCH
Story by BO WILSON
of incorporating them into our system quickly.”
West Hall has shown improvement over last year’s one-win season and is in the tournament for the first time since 2022.
“The growth has been phenomenal,” West Hall coach Jacob Selman said. “We have three returning seniors who have grown exponentially over the last two years.”
Overall, the Lady Spartans are young and have seen great things from freshman Zy Farmer. Se-
niors Peyton Morrow and Niyah Harris have also been key to the good start.
North Hall, the 2023 runner-up, is under new direction this season as Eric Herrick left for Creekview earlier this year. Anna Claire Atha was hired to take over the program and has hit the ground running.
“I think over the past few months, I’ve been able to build some really great relationships and rapport with the girls in the program,” Atha said. “They are all awesome kids who pour their hearts into our program.”
The Lady Trojans were dealt a blow to the roster when sharp-shooter Martha Vachtsevanos was sidelined for the season with a knee injury. However, they have senior Athena Vachtsevanos, junior Lauren Hemmer and senior transfer Sibley Fountain have stepped up.
“I think all my players will be key in the tournament,” Atha said. “We talk every day about the value that every single person in our program brings.”
The Lady Trojans open against No. 7 seed East Hall. The two teams met on November 12, with the Lady Vikings taking a 60-52 victory in
PHOTO BY SETH CHAPMAN
Valhalla. North Hall beat East Hall 65-51 in the first round of last year’s tournament.
The Lady Vikings return seniors Kaylana Curry, Amari Burce, Haley Barton and Terriah Watkins, along with sophomores Mayliah Butler, NaNa Harrison and Carlessia Jones.
“Right now, we are playing together,” East Hall coach Brad Cochran said. “We have been working on having a defensive identity, and we are doing well now. All five are playing on the same page on the defensive end. With any sub, that intensity doesn’t change. We have that bench depth now.”
The Lady War Eagles, seeded third, lost to rival North Hall in last year’s semifinal game and will open with sixth-seeded Flowery Branch, a team they beat in the first round last season, 62-36.
Chestatee, whose only Lanierland title came in 2012, is considered one of the favorites despite losing leading scorer and rebounder Riley Black. They return three seniors and two juniors to the starting rotation, including seniors Addison Boyd, Caroline Bull and Payton Cable.
“To beat anyone in Lanierland, you have to be able to handle the atmosphere and the situation,” Chestatee coach Sutton Shirley said. “We have to be mature enough to do that. We should be able to do that with three seniors and two juniors starting.”
It’ll be the second time in four tournaments that Chestatee and Flowery Branch have played in the first round since 2021.
The Lady Falcons lost nine seniors to gradu ation, including guards Amyia Scott and Kait lin Cangiolosi, and have an overall young roster. They only return one starter, Jess Tamplin, who head coach Courtney Newton says is the team’s heartbeat. They also return juniors Kinley Haw kins and Kelsey Inman.
“Our attitude feels positive as these girls want to learn the game,” Branch coach Courtney Newton said. “They come in every day wanting to work and get better. They are so new to the game that we have a lot to teach them, but they want to learn. Our returning players have been great leaders.”
Fourth-seeded Gainesville will face No. 5 Cherokee Bluff. Bluff fell to Lakeview in the first round last season, and Gainesville lost to the Li ons in the semifinals.
The Lady Red Elephants return senior guards Mattie White and Julia Payne, junior guard Kelsey Lester, and senior Brennen Shiloh will return from injury to add a spark.
“We’ve had a good start to the season,” Gaines ville coach Vanessa White said. “The biggest thing we’ve seen is that our defensive intensity is up, and we’re playing as a unit. We’ve had many kids contribute to what we’re trying to do.”
Cherokee Bluff may have one of the deep er, more talented rosters returning this season. However, they lost three starters—Kaitlin Cook, Emma Reynolds and Carson Demars.
The Lady Bears, considered a favorite, return one of the best guard duos in the tournament, junior Claire Carlson and sophomore Bristol Kersh. Brooklyn Phillips (senior), Audrey Gra-
“They’ve played in this environment before
and bring that experience with them,” Bluff coach Kassie Scott said. “They understand their roles and play them well. And they also play well together.”
ham (junior), Halle Wilson (junior), Mac Warren (junior), and Emery Jones (sophomore) will also be key for the Bears.
PHOTO BY LEE HEARD
GIRLS PLAYERS TO WATCH
While this year’s tournament field includes some dominant post players, guard play will be fun to watch.
Every team has players who can control the tempo, take the ball to the goal, and splash 3-pointers left and right.
It’ll make for an exciting girls’ bracket and a headache for most coaches to defend.
Speaking of that, Cherokee Bluff will be one of those teams that will be tough to defend from the perimeter and in the paint.
Sophomore Bristol Kersh and junior Claire Carlson form one of the best guard duos in the tournament.
“The two of them are super hard to press,” Chestatee coach Sutton Shirley said. “Bristol is the most dynamic athlete in the tournament, and Claire is one of the best shooters.”
Bluff coach Kassie Scott has seen it up close and agrees.
“Claire and Bristol are the 1-2 punch of our program and continue to grow their game as leaders on and off the court,” she said.
Bluff also has Emery Jones and Halle Wilson, who can control the paint.
“The combination of Claire and Bristol, as well as Emery and Halle in the post, gives them a chance to beat anybody on any given night,” Shirley said.
Defending Lanierland champion Lakeview has plenty of depth in the backcourt.
With Dynesty Putman’s injury, Emyrie Combs has stepped up at point guard. She’s averaging 22 points per game heading into the tournament.
“She’s embraced her leadership role,” Lakeview coach Ken Huffman said. “She’s been fantastic at
GUARD PLAY WILL BE GOOD IN 2024
from the perimeter, and Addison is super dangerous from 3-point range.”
North Hall returns guard Athena Vachtsevanos, who can get to the goal and shoot from the perimeter.
“She does a lot of stuff good on both ends,” Shirley said. “She’s played in two Lanierland championship games and will be hungry to get back.
Story by BO WILSON
running the offense, staying composed, and making the right plays.”
Taylor Clark is a versatile wing who can score in multiple ways for the Lions.
“She’s hard to stop on either side,” Shirley said. “Taylor can shoot it and will be a factor on defense.”
The Lady Lions also have arguably the best post player in the tournament, senior Taliah Gaither. At 6-foot-2, Gaither is dominant in the paint and tough to get past on defense. She can also hit the mid-range jumper.
“She has been a force on both ends,” Huffman said.
Chestatee has a trio of guards who can run and shoot. Seniors Caroline Bull, Payton Cable, and Addison Boyd return to lead the Lady War Eagles.
“Caroline is a very good defender and can hit
Flowery Branch junior guard Jess Tamplin and Kinley Hawkins have also emerged as players to watch.
“Jess is our leader on offense,” Branch coach Courtney said. “Kinley has been handling the ball and brings energy on both ends of the floor.”
East Hall has senior guards Kaylana Curry and Amari Burce and senior center Terriah Watkins.
“Kaylana will be big with ball control and scoring, Amari is the glue, and Terriah has been huge on both ends of the court,” Vikings coach Brad Cochran said.
Gainesville returns senior guards Julia Payne, Mattie White and Kelsey Lester.
“Julia and Mattie have been a starter for three years,” Gainesville coach Vanessa White said. “ And Kelsey stepped up last season during the latter part of the season and did a great job for us. All three have done a great job leading us this season.”
West Hall coach Jacob Selman has the Lady Spartans playing well and are in the tournament field for the first time in two seasons. Freshmen Zy Farmer, Peyton Morrow and Niyah Harris are a big reason for the Spartans’ early-season success.
“I’m excited to see how they come together and show out this season,” he said.
THE HISTORY OF
For the past 64 years, basketball fans around Northeast Georgia have flocked to the gyms of Hall County for the state’s longest-running holiday tournament.
CW Davis is responsible for beginning what has become an institution in Northeast Georgia. It’s also become the state’s oldest holiday tournament.
Davis had a deep love for academics and athletics while serving in different roles in the system. At South Hall, he and the PTA built the school system’s first football field with lights, bleachers and concessions.
In 1960, Davis proposed forming the Lanierland tournament by bringing together the county’s three schools: East Hall, North Hall, South Hall, and Gainesville City.
In an article from Dec. 6, 2004, he told AccessWDUN that he never dreamed it would become the Hall County sports institution it has.
Before the tournament was started, he had to get the four schools on board with the idea. So, he brought it up with the school principals because, at the time, for one reason or another, the schools couldn’t get into holiday tournaments in North Georgia. So, he decided to create one just for them.
“We found that, really, the three Hall County schools were the red-headed stepsister in terms of what other schools were doing,” he said in 2004.
Davis, who passed away in 2017 at 96, said each high school principal jumped at the idea. The tournament has now expanded to nine schools and is the oldest running Christmas in-
vitational tournament in the state.
The tournament is still open to Hall County and Gainesville only. However, in the 1965-66 season, Gainesville did not play in the tournament for one reason or another. Forsyth Central was invited to take Gainesville’s place, and the Lady Bulldogs captured the title – still the only school outside of Hall County to win the tournament.
In the early 2010s, Jefferson signed on for two seasons because the Lakeview Academy girls pulled out of the tournament, citing competition reasons. The Lady Lions would return to the tournament two years later.
Speaking of tournament history, in 2023 the Cherokee Bluff boys and Lakeview girls added to the record books by winning their first-ever Lanierland title. Months before the 65th tournament was set to begin, the committee also made a historic decision, announcing the first two days would be split in half between North Hall and East Hall. The final day is at Gainesville.
Whatever happens in this year’s tournament will most definitely add to Chapter 65 of the Lanierland history book.
“The history of the tournament, the number of past participants who are now coaches or administrators, and the sponsorship of Jackson EMC have helped the tournament survive the challenges of the increased number of teams,” legendary coach Seth Vining said. “The leadership fo the tournament has worked together to keep the tradition. This is one of the few athletic events where all the schools can compete against each other.”
GIRLS CHAMPS
PHOTO BY PEDRO VERA
CHEROKEE BLUFF BEARS BOYS
POISED TO DEFEND TITLE
Momentum has Bears eyeing repeat
By BO WILSON
The Bears captured their first Lanierland championship last season with a 62-52 win over Gainesville.
They head into this year’s Lanierland playing well and are a clear favorite to defend their title.
“Overall, the season has started well,” head coach Josh Travis said. “But we still have a long way to go. We can’t get complacent. Every game presents new challenges.”
Despite losing key pieces from last year’s roster, the team’s returning players have helped the program con tinue to grow.
“We lost some very important pieces from last year’s team, but you’re right, we have a strong core of returners,” Travis explained. “Every year, every team is a new endeavor, but the guys have embraced their roles and are working hard to improve. We have a good mix of experience and new talent stepping up this season.”
One of the team’s biggest challenges is continuing to improve in key areas. Travis always emphasizes growth, especially when facing tougher competition.
“You never have the luxury of staying in the same place,” he said. “You’re either getting better or getting worse. To compete with some of the bigger teams, we’ll face this season, we need to get better at re bounding.”
Despite areas that need work, Travis quickly highlights his team’s strengths. A major asset this season has been the team’s unselfish play and ability to work together on both ends of the court.
“We’ve done a great job of playing as a team,”Travis said. “These guys have been through a lot of battles together, and they have a really strong bond.”
The Bears have a solid nucleus of returning players, including Boston Kersh and Tyler Underwood.
“We have a balanced team where everyone who sees action is important to our success,” Travis said. “That being said, Boston Kersh is always a focal point of what we do. He’s a leader for us on both ends of the floor. Tyler Underwood, our senior guard, has also
been outstanding this season. He brings leadership, energy, and the ability to score in a variety of ways.”
The top-ranked Bears’ first test will be No. 8 seed West Hall, a team they will face multiple times during the regular season as they play in the same region, in the tournament’s first round.
“We don’t know a lot about them at this point except that we’ll see them three times this season,”Travis said. “They’re a well-coached team and will definitely be prepared to play us. We’ll have to be on top of our game to win that one.”
Travis points to a squad full of shooters who play unselfish basketball when asked about his team’s overall identity.
“We have a roster full of shooters,” he said. “These
guys understand that they can rely on each other. ” For Travis, the Lanierland Tournament holds significant meaning for his players and the community.
“For our team, it’s always an opportunity to compete on a big stage,” he said. “We’re always a better team after Lanierland. And now that we have a Lanierland title, it’s incredible to see how much it means to our community. I’ve been blown away by the number of people who point to that and tell us how much it means to them.
“It’s our county championship. As all our schools continue to change over time this tournament remains common ground. It’s a moment that every community in our county cares about.”
PHOTO BY SETH CHAPMAN
CHESTATEE WAR EAGLES BOYS
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Young War Eagles working on consistency
By BO WILSON
The War Eagles are young, which has contributed to their slow start to the season.
However, head coach Alan Griffin is excited about his team’s potential.
“We have had a slow start to the season,” he said. “We have four starters that have never started in varsity basketball, and we are learning how to play with each other. It’s a young group with exciting potential.”
Losing a significant senior class, including leading scorer Colton Wilbanks and point guard Josh Bull, has allowed the opportunity for the younger players to step up. It’s been a learning process for the guys, but Griffin says the future is bright in Sardis.
“We lost a big senior group with explosive players,” he said. “We get the opportunity to start playing with many young players, which is exciting for our future.
“We have to learn how to handle the ups and downs that come in games,” Grffin said. “We have to learn to how to stay steady and consistent..”
With all the growing pains, the War Eagles have shown some good things on the court.
“We have had some very good defensive outings and have been able to be multiple on defense, which shows our versatility,” Griffin. “We can also go very deep on our bench, pulling different talents on different nights.”
Senior Ethan Dunn has quickly established himself as a vital part of the team’s core. Dunn has developed into a reliable scoring threat as a post player, particularly with his effective back-to-the-basket game.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Spinelli has made a name for himself early in the season with multiple double-digit scoring games. His ability to score from various positions on the court is a welcomed addition.
“Ethan has been our foundation for the season,”
Griffin said. “He has become a scoring threat with his back to the basket. Sebastian has had multiple double-digit scoring games early this season and is proving he can be a threat.”
Elian Salcido. After a promising sophomore season, Salcido has the opportunity to be a scoring threat for the War Eagles.
explosiveness, and Salcido’s playmaking create a dynamic trio that could become lethal.
The War Eagles, a No. 7 seed, will open the tournament against No. 2 seed Gainesville.
“We have to play possession by possession and games in a row is key to it all,” he said. “But you can’t win the tournament unless you win the first one.”
As for his prediction to win it all … “I hate predictions. There are going to be several teams who are going to be tough to beat in this year’s tournament.”
PHOTO BY LEE HEARD
ELIAN SALCIDO
A TITLE CONTENDER?
Deep roster has Vikings a favorite
By BO WILSON
The Vikings are coming in hot this season, and the tournament field knows it.
The 25-time Lanierland champs are considered a favorite to win it all this year, but the Vikings’ road ahead will be challenging.
Every coach in the field has said East Hall is one of four favorites to win the tournament this season, but the road won’t be easy for the Vikings.
East Hall faces North Hall in the first round. If they get past the Trojans, they will play the win ner of the Chestatee-Gainesville game. Each year, those who flock to Lanierland want to see an East Hall-Gainesville matchup. If that happens, it would be for a trip to the championship game.
But head coach Joe Dix isn’t looking ahead.
“We have to take it one game at a time,” he said. “If we win our first game, then we’ll focus on the next opponent. But it will be about who’s playing well at the right time.”
The Vikings beat the Trojans on Nov. 12, 78-53, but Dix said that North Hall did not have a full roster due to the football and cross-country teams competing in the playoffs.
“We’ve already played North Hall once this season, but we have to be careful about not under estimating them,” Dix said. When they’re at full strength, they’ll be a much tougher opponent.”
The Vikings’ roster includes a blend of young talent and experienced upperclassmen.
“I like where we are,” Dix said. “We’re still figuring some things out. There’s a level of confidence right now, but we’ve got a lot of growing to do.”
Junior guard Jamarcus Harrison, starting quarterback for the Viking football team, continues to get in basketball shape after football season, but Dix is excited to see him grow this season.
“His role in football this year was probably bigger than it’s ever been, so it’s taken him a little longer to transition to basketball,” Dix said. “But he had a big game in our last game, so we’re excited about where he’s going.”
Bray Langston is another player who has caught attention, especially for his improved play from last season.
“Bray has really elevated his game, both physically and basketball-wise,” Dix said.
Other key contributors include newcomer junior Jordan Richerson and returning guard junior Chasen Jones.
“Jordan and Chasen have really taken their games to another level, especially with Chasen handling much of the ball-handling duties. That’s helped take some pressure off Jamarcus and allowed him to rest,” Dix said. “And Koen Bryant, our fifth starter, is doing a bit of everything for us, particularly on the glass.”
said his bench play has been steady. Landon Osborne and Keon Randolph have been key off the bench.
The boys’ bracket could be one of the best in a long time, with four clear favorites, East Hall, Gainesville, Cherokee Bluff and Lakeview, all bringing strong squads. Dix agrees and believes the field is as competitive as ever.
“When I first got back to Hall County, people told me the level of basketball was down, but I don’t think that’s the case anymore,” he said. “Every team in the tournament has players who can make a difference, and it’s going to be a great three days of basketball.”
ROSTER EAST HALL VIKINGS BOYS
Sophomore
Dix
PHOTO BY PEDRO VERA
MAKING IMPROVEMENT
Falcons continue to make strides in right direction
By BO WILSON
Although the Falcons are still a young group, they continue to improve each game.
Head coach David Hawkins is pleased with the growth of his program.
“The kids are playing hard and have a great atti tude,” he said. “The team has come into this season with a positive outlook and is having fun on the court and the locker.”
The Falcons only have two seniors, including team captain Landon Mealor and Joell Bennett. However, Bennett suffered an early season injury and may or may not be available for Lanierland.
“Landon brings a leader to the court with the abil ity to impact the game from 3-point range,” Haw kins said.
With only two seniors, Hawkins has had the chance to play many young guys early in the season.
“Hopefully, they’ll be ready and not intimidated going into Lanierland,” he said about the young guys.
Junior Jack Huey has emerged as a threat at guard for the Falcons.
“He has the ability to impact the game from deep as well as getting to the rim,” Hawkins said.
Sophomore Brayden Lee, who was the only underclassman to get heavy playing time last season, returns at guard. Hawkins says he can make plays in transition.
Junior Nathan Corcoran also returns with some varsity experience.
“He can change the game on the defensive end of the floor for us,” Hawkins said.
Sophomore John Osorio was called on when Bennett went down. Hawkins has been impressed with his play so far.
“He has given us some good minutes on the offensive end and on the glass,” Hawkins said.
THE FALCONS ROSTER FLOWERY BRANCH FALCONS
cutting down on turnovers and rebounding better.
“We have put a huge emphasis on not turning the ball over and playing really good defense,” he said. “Due to our size on the court, we need to rebound better to have a chance of real success.”
Hawkins says he continues to make strides in the right direction.
“We have shown moments this year of really shooting the ball well from outside,” he said. “We have done a good job of being able to play up-tempo in games that get slowed down. Our kids are playing hard and have good attitudes, making this team fun to watch and coach.”
ment against a loaded Lakeview team, a No. 5 seed. Hawkins understands it’ll be a tough matchup against the Lions but looks forward to the challenge.
Hawkins says the Falcons have been focused on
The Falcons, a No. 4 seed, will open the tourna-
“We play a very good Lakeview team to open the tournament,” he said. “I know that they will be well coached and disciplined on the court. They have good guards and tremendous size in the post. This will be a tough match-up for us to open the tournament, but to have a chance to win, we must protect the basketball in live ball situations and try to limit the number of second-chance points.
PHOTO BY PEDRO VERA
BRACKETS BOYS BRACKET
TALENTED ROSTER
Big Red has high hopes for season
By BO WILSON
After an 11-win season, Charlemagne Gibbons was ready to tip off the 2024-25 campaign.
He has built his program on defense and depth and has a strong foundation heading into this season.
“I am very pleased with the work and foundation we were able to achieve in year one,” he said. “We have gotten much stronger in the weight room, and the guys have really pushed their level of conditioning so that we can play at a faster pace than last season. All our returning players have grown greatly in confidence and belief in their abilities.”
Still, though, there are areas for improvement. Gibbons says the number one is being a dominant rebounding team.
“The biggest area we need to improve is being a dominant rebounding team. Our defensive numbers last season were good on initial stops, but we rebounded at the rate we needed to capitalize on first-shot stops.”
Big Red’s roster is full of talent and returns four starters from a year ago: G Luke Nordholz, SG Brandon Nelson, forward Xavier Griffin and guard/ post combo Zeke Amir. He also returns forwards Jacob Griffin and Parker Waugh and big man Charlie Gershmehl.
“This year’s group is deep and has many good players, both returning and new,” Gibbons said. “ Brandon Nelson has had a good off-season, and we are looking for him to defend at a high level and bring outside shooting. Luke Nordholtz was all-tournament last season and is looking to improve on a successful freshman campaign. Charlie Gersmahl, who sat out last season, will also be a force inside and out for this year’s team. Newcomer Kevin White will run the show at point guard and is a high-level competitor with a huge will to win. This is a deep team.”
Last season was Gibbons’s first Lanierland. He said seeing the passion and pride stood out the most.
“Last year was a great experience, seeing the passion and pride of the school fan base and the excitement
of the basketball community in Hall County,” he said. “It’s a wonderful environment to play in stand ing-room-only crowds.”
and defensive intensity.
inside and out,” he said. “We have guys who are multiskilled and play extremely hard.”
Gainesville will open against No. 7 seed Chestatee at North Hall.
“The beauty of basketball is that anybody can be knocked off any night,” he said. “We know we have to be ready in the first round, bring our defense, and try to create a pace that will be hard to match from start to finish. The biggest thing is that we must play to our
Gibbons also expects his squad to play the championship on Saturday.
“I hope we are the favorites coming into this year’s event,” he said. “Obviously, there are several teams that return good players who are well-coached, but we feel our guys should be there in the end.”
PHOTO BY LEE HEARD
NORDHOLZ
JOHNSON KNIGHTS
MAKING PROGRESS
Knights are young but improving
By BO WILSON
W“The start of the season hasn’t been what we had hoped, but we’ve shown the ability to compete and play good basketball,” he said. “Some players have demonstrated significant improvement, and overall, our experience and depth on the bench have grown. That’s been a positive for us, and it’s something we can build on.”
Life after Jaiden Riley has been a big challenge for the Knights, but several players have stepped in to fill the gap.
“Losing Jaiden was a big loss for us, but some players have worked hard to develop and fill that void,” Compton said. “Overall, the team shows more confidence, and the experience gained from having to play early in their high school careers has made them feel more comfortable in varsity games.”
While the Knights continue to improve in sever al areas, Compton said improving their defense is a major focus.
“Defense is an area that we need to continue to work on,” he said. “While our players have a basic understanding of our system, we still need to improve our reactions, rotations, and finishing with rebounds. We need to get better at not allowing second-chance opportunities for our opponents.”
outside.”
Compton said Cruz Gobert has emerged as the leader this season. Monty Young and Brayden Black have also stepped up.
“Cruz Gobert has been our key leader,” he said. “He’s great at handling the ball and maintaining composure when the defense gets tough. Monty Young has been an explosive player for us—he’s tough to guard and can put up big numbers. Maddox Whitmire is our most improved player. He’s become a great leader with a competitive mindset and has given us consistent perimeter shooting. Our senior leader, Brayden Black, provides rebounding, can handle pressure, and is a scoring threat both inside and
The team has also shown significant growth in its handling of pressure situations. Compared to previous seasons, Compton has seen improvement in limiting turnovers and scoring more points.
“Our ability to handle pressure is better this year than in past seasons,” he said. “We’ve been limiting turnovers and averaging more points per game, which is a big step forward. The players are growing and continuing to develop, but more importantly, they’ve developed a love for the game. It’s been fun to watch them progress and fun to coach them.”
Despite the progress, the team is still searching for its true identity. Compton said they are close to finding the best style of play that suits the team’s
strengths.
“We’re still figuring out our identity,” he said. “As coaches, we’re trying to put the players in the best position to succeed, but we’re also trying to identify the style of play they respond to best. “
The Knights missed the field, losing to West Hall in the dreaded play-in game, 68-56, on November 22.
“Unfortunately, some players don’t get to participate in the full tournament experience now that we have the play-in game, but it’s still the best tournament in our area—and maybe even the state. I’ve shared the experiences I’ve had as a player, coach, and fan with other coaches, letting them know how big and important this event is to our community.”
PHOTO BY SETH CHAPMAN
MONTY YOUNG
A TITLE CONTENDER
Deep roster has Lions on the hunt
By BO WILSON
emphasis in games.”
The Lions, a No. 5 seed, will open the tournament against No. 4 Flowery Branch. While the Lions are concentrated on their performance, Wood acknowledges the challenge posed by a well-coached team like Flowery Branch.
“I know it sounds cliche, but we’re just focused on ourselves right now,” he said. “Their head coach (David Hawkins) is a good friend and former as-
THE LIONS ROSTER
“If we can defend and rebound, it will create opportunities for us to run and score,” Wood said. “We want to defend, rebound and run, and hopefully, we can have good shooting.”
Wood has won Lanierland five times with three different schools, so he understands what it takes to win the tournament.
“Well, it’s a stacked field, so we’re gonna have to
in that, then we have to execute on those days.”
Wood said Cherokee Bluff, East Hall and Gainesville are the clear tournament favrorites.
“There are some really good teams that you have to compete within the field,” he said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge, because you should have to beat somebody really good. So, it should be a fun experience.”
PHOTO BY COURTNEY KIDD JR THOMPSON
NORTH HALL TROJANS BOYS
A BALANCED APPROACH
Trojans lean on teamwork in 2024
By BO WILSON
The Trojans lost six guys to graduation but have entered the 2024-25 campaign on sol id footing.
“We’ve had a solid start to our season,” Head coach Jarvis Davenport said. “Every year is dif ferent, and the guys are learning to settle into new roles while also expanding on their previous ones. It’s been a good start, but the real test comes when we get to the tournament.”
In Davenport’s first year, he led the Trojans to the Class 4A state tournament, which has been a key building block for this season. Davenport said the guys are embracing his emphasis on hard work and playing as a cohesive unit, which was key to their suc cess last year.
“The guys really did an amazing job accepting our expectations,” he said. “How hard they needed to play and how important it is to play as one unit—those were things we emphasized. We improved every week last year, and that momentum helped propel us into the state playoffs.”
However, as with any team, there’s always room for improvement. According to Davenport, the Trojans must continue building on their defensive consisten cy.
“We have to continue to improve our team defense and develop consistency,” he said. “That’s something that comes with time, with understanding what we expect day in and day out.”
The Trojans’ strength lies in their balanced approach. Key contributors such as point guards Rolan Imai and Will Rogers set the tone by controlling the tempo and minimizing turnovers. Meanwhile, wings Micah Jimerson, Gunner Spain and Cooper Payton and forwards Cole Hulsey amd Kenny Sullivan will look to capitalize on offensive opportunities within Davenport’s system.
“Again, we play as a unit,” Davenport said. “If we had to depend on a few players, we’d rely on Rolan and Will to manage the ball and set the tempo. Our wings need to score when the opportunity arises, and
THE TROJANS ROSTER
Cole Hulsey and Kenny Sullivan have to control the paint and finish inside. We’ve got guys like Jackson Richy and Andrew Boyd who can contribute in key moments, whether it’s knocking down threes or causing havoc on defense.”
But the road ahead won’t be easy. In the opening round of Lanierland, North Hall faces a loaded East Hall team—one that has had the Trojans’ number in previous matchups. East Hall beat North Hall on Nov. 12, 78-53.
“We played East Hall earlier in the season, and it was a wake-up call for us,” Davenport said. “They’ve got a lot of experience, and they’re a year older and more seasoned, so they present a problem for anyone
they face.”
Despite the challenges, Davenport is optimistic about his team’s chances.
“This team does an amazing job of playing for each other,” Davenport said. “They move the ball and create opportunities for one another. Most of all, they’re resilient. They don’t shy away from challenges, they embrace them.”
As the tournament approaches, one thing is clear: the Trojans’ identity is becoming more defined.
“The identity of this team is hardnosed, never-saydie individuals who have a business mentality about what they do,” Davenport said. “We want to play fast offensively and play solid, aggressive defense.
PHOTO BY SETH CHAPMAN
MICAH
WEST HALL SPARTANS BOYS
LEARNING TO COMPETE
Spartans continue to improve on consistency
By BO WILSON
Tmained upbeat.
“We’ve had to deal with some bumps in the road, but overall, those experiences will help us as we move forward,” he said.
It’s the second season in charge in Sparta, and the coaching staff continues to solidify the foundation they started last year.
“The cool part is that the players have really bought into what we’re teaching,” Graham said. “Our assistant coaches have done a great job help ing them grow, but we’ve got to keep delivering our message clearly and consistently.”
One big area for improvement is consistency.
“We need a few key guys to show up and play well every night,” he said. “We’ve got talent, and it’s crucial for those players to step into their roles and deliver the kind of performances we can rely on.”
Senior Xavier Felix returns to lead the team at point guard and has provided the team with heart and stability.
“He’s a calming presence on the court, and we can always count on his effort and mindset,” Graham said.
Troy Smith is another player to watch this year.
“Troy had a great tournament last year, and I’m expecting big things from him again this year,” Graham said. “He just has to stay locked in and continue to improve.
The Spartans will face No. 1 seed Cherokee Bluff in the first round. Graham said they’re a favorite to win it again this year.
“They’re well-coached with some high-skilled players. Having won the tournament last year, they’re definitely one of the favorites this time around, but we’re looking forward to competing,” he said.
THE SPARTANS ROSTER
However, Graham stressed the importance of his team to continue learning how to compete.
“Last year, we didn’t fully understand how important it is to compete in every play,” he said. “This year, it seems like the guys are starting to understand that, and that’s helping us play better when it counts. We’re close to really figuring things out.”
With Tilley’s loss, Graham and his staff have been forced to rethink their identity.
“We’re still trying to carve out our identity,” he said. “But I trust the guys in the locker room. With strong senior leadership and the maturity they’ve shown, I believe we’ll sort it out.”
It’s no secret that Lanierland is a big deal to every coach in the tournament and to the community.
Graham said he loves to compete in Lanierland. “This tournament is like no other in the country,” Graham said. “You cannot recreate the atmosphere and the prestige of this tournament. It literally prepares you for region and state tournament play. I love the support that the community gives our young people. Bottom line is that I love competing in it and also being around the basketball community of Hall County.
Graham said the focus is on taking it one game and one possession at a time.
“We have to play one game at a time, but I also think we have to look at it as one possession at a time,” he said. “I love our guys. I think we’re primed to make a run, and we are looking forward to playing.”
PHOTO BY SETH CHAPMAN
TROY
CHEROKEE BLUFF BEARS GIRLS EMBRACING YOUTH
Youthful Bears learning to compete
By BO WILSON
The Lady Bears might be young, but they’re pretty good.
Returning one of the best guard duos in the county and possibly the area – Bristol Kersh and Claire Carlson, the Lady Bears should be in the talk for the program’s first Lanierland title. However, the start of the season has been slow, but head coach Kassie Scott feels the program’s growth has been good.
“We had a few multi-sport athletes out when we started, so our season got off to a rocky start with a young group of girls getting varsity experience a lot faster than expected,” Scott said. “But it was great for our growth as a whole and allowed us to see areas we need to continue to work on.”
Bluff boasts a strong core of eight returning play ers; junior guard Carlson and sophomore guard Kersh will handle the pressure up top. Meanwhile, other key contributors will be senior Brooklyn Phil lips, juniors Audrey Graham, Halle Wilson and Mac Warren and sophomore Emery Jones.
“All my players have really embraced the chal lenge of taking on more responsibility,” Scott said. “Growth is something we talk about every day. They’re hungry, focused.”
Scott said they’ve been working on eliminating turnovers and understanding that every possession counts.
“We are young, so we have to get our girls to understand every possession counts,” she said. “So, limiting our turnovers and making smart decisions are key factors of that.”
Despite the youth and some inexperience in spots, Scott said her team is playing well together.
“We’re engaged on defense and make it really difficult for teams to be comfortable,” she said. “Offensively, we move the ball well, execute our plays and we have multiple players scoring points.”
And that’s because of the way Scott has built the team in just two seasons as head coach. She says the team’s identity is built around hard work, discipline, playing together and being great teammates.
THE BEARS ROSTER
“We pride ourselves on defense and are extremely unselfish on offense,” she said. “We focus daily on effort, energy, and execution.”
Last season, the Lady Bears lost to eventual champion Lakeview in the first round, 63-52, but beat Johnson and Flowery Branch to finish as the No. 5 seed.
They’ll face fourth-seeded Gainesville in the first round this year. The Lady Red Elephants bring a mix of experienced players and promising young talent.
Scott said they’ll have to stay disciplined to beat Gainesville.
“We know that Gainesville has a couple of key returning pieces back and a young group of girls that
can really play,” she said. “To beat them, we will need to stay disciplined in our approach to the game and be able to play aggressive for all four quarters.”
Scott said to win the grueling three-day tournament, the players must play their best basketball for three days.
“Defensively, we have to be sound in everything we do from our rotations, pressuring the ball, contesting shots, boxing out and playing with high intensity,” she said. “Offensively, we have to generate quality looks for early and easy opportunities, limit our turnovers, and make the easy baskets. We will have to play our best basketball all four quarters for three days.”
PHOTO BY COURTNEY KIDD
GETTING OVER THE HUMP
War Eagles hope 2024 is the year to win title CHESTATEE WAR EAGLES GIRLS
By BO WILSON
If there’s one thing about the Lady War Eagles in Lanierland, they are consistent.
For the third time in four seasons, Chestatee finished third last season.
It’s a hump head coach Sutton Shirley is ready to get over.
“Hopefully the experience of winning two region tournaments will give us an edge in the tournament format this year,” he said.
The Lady War Eagles have spent the offseason adjusting to life without leading scorer and rebounder Riley Black, who’s off playing basketball at West Georgia.
They’ve had their ups and downs in the first half of the season but have been playing some really good competition, including top-10 ranked Jefferson, Holy Innocents, Banks County, Pickens, White County and Greater Atlanta Chrisitan School.
“I would like to think my kids aren’t afraid of anybody,” Shirley said. “We have played eight games before Lanierland, seven of which were against top 10 ranked opponents. And we’ve won some of those. We want to be a top 10 team in the final rankings at the end of the season, and I think we’ve proven capable of that.”
Senior guards Caroline Bull, Addison Boyd and Payton Cable have been heartbeat of the team. Freshman Ali Jae Bull has also stepped in to give some valuable minutes.
“Caroline is closing in on 1,000 points and is the best shooter in the tournament,” Shirley said. “Addison has played in a lot of big games in hostile environments and is a very good rebounder from the point guard position. Payton has started the year off shooting the ball very well from the perimeter and is always willing to take a charge, and Ali Jae will be the best freshman in the tournament.”
Chestatee opens the tournament against Flowery Branch. It’s the second year in a row the two foes have played each other. The Lady War Eagles won last year’s contest, 62-36. Chestatee blew open the
game in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Fal cons, 18-9 to grab a 51-19 lead.
to handle the atmosphere and the situation. We have to be mature enough to do that,” Shirley said. “With three seniors and two juniors starting, we should be able to do that.”
sistency.
are doing a lot bad in spurts. When we put it all to gether, we will be really good.”
their toughness. Shirley says this team is no different.
3rd quarter against the seventh-ranked team in the state and came back and won at the buzzer,” he said. ed. I think we are very talented as well.”
PHOTO BY SETH CHAPMAN
VETERAN SQUAD
Lady Vikings return starting lineup
By BO WILSON
The Lady Vikings return all five starters from last season and are hoping it translates into a deep run in the tournament.
Head coach Brad Cochran, in his sec ond year said he’s excited about the potential of his group.
“We’re excited to put all the preseason work to wards our big picture,” he said.
The Lady Vikings Kaylana Curry, Terriah Wat kins, Maliyah Butler, NaNa Harrison and Carlessia Jones returned as starters this season. Cochran said the growth of the team has been great.
“It’s something we’ve all done together since last season,” he said. “It started in the summer and car ried through preseason. We’ve been looking for new players to emerge on the scene, and it’s been reward ing to see that progress.”
Expect Amari Burce to also be a key contributor for the Lady Vikings. Cochran said Burce is the glue and will step up when Curry and Watkins need help. Cochran also pointed to a few areas of improve ment.
“We still have to get better at scoring faster,” he said. “With our style, we want to play fast and score fast.”
Along with scoring fast, Cochran wants the team’s identity to be built on defense.
“Right now, we are playing together,” he said. “We’ve been working on having a defensive identity, and that’s something we’re doing really well now. All five players on the floor are on the same page defensively, and that intensity doesn’t change with subs. Our bench depth is a real strength.”
themselves in a position to win the championship. He also said Lakeview is the lead favorite but also tossed the Lady Vikings in as a favorite.
The Lady Vikings, a No. 7 seed, will open the tournament against No. 2 seed North Hall. East Hall knocked off North Hall on Nov. 12, 60-52, but lost to the Lady Trojans in the first round last year.
THE VIKINGS ROSTER
“I think we just have to play our style of play and focus on the mission,” he said. “We made it a goal to win Lanierland early and we are working for that.
“Lakeview is the returning champs with return-
“It’s a tournament my dad played in, one I grew up watching, and now I’ve had the privilege to play and coach in it,” he said. “It means a lot to hold up that championship trophy and have the bragging rights for the year.
“Everyone comes out to watch the games and stays all day just to see the last game of the night. No other tournament has that kind of hype.”
PHOTO BY LEE HEARD KAYLANA
BRANCH FALCONS GIRLS LEARNING EVERYDAY
Young Falcons continue growing in each game
By WALKER MCCRARY
Flowery Branch has won Lanierland five times over the course of the 64-year history of the tournament. Head coach Courtney Newton holds this tournament near and dear to her heart.
“It means so much, it’s what playing basketball in Hall County is about,” said Newton. “To represent your school and our county in this tournament is something we take pride in.”
In fact, Newton has been on both sides of win ning the trophy at the end of the tournament for all five times the Lady Falcons have sat atop Hall County.
“Some of my favorite memories of Lanierland are winning the school’s first Lanierland as a player (2003) and the first one as the coach (2015),” said Newton.
Newton led the Lady Falcons to four straight tournament titles from 2015-18, but a resurgence in the northern part of the county has kept them from reaching the top of the mountain since then.
For this Lady Falcons team to win the 65th La nierland Tournament and get back to the top of the podium, they will lean on playing hard and having fun. Also, after losing nine seniors a year ago, they will lean on depth to keep the energy high on the floor.
the game and each other make this process fun.”
“We are young and don’t have a lot of experience,” said Newton, “but our girls are playing hard and getting better each day. We have girls who are multisport athletes who are playing for the first time, so it’s been a process, but they are a fun group to coach.”
This team has seen a lot of growth since an early losing streak. It defeated Class 6A Peachtree Ridge in a defensive battle prior to starting Region 8-4A play at the start of December.
“Our returning players have been great leaders, and our new players want to learn and come in working harder and harder each day. Their love for
THE FALCONS ROSTER
One of those returning leaders for Flowery Branch is Jess Tamplin, who has been the standout for Flowery Branch early in the season, putting up 19 points per game. But Newton pinpoints three other players that will be key.
“Kinley Hawkins has been handling the ball well and brings energy on both ends of the floor. Kelsey Inman has been huge for us inside, rebounding and defending the posts, and Lily Kotula will bring a level of heart we need to be successful.”
Newton notes that they need to improve on their offensive production and in game IQ, but this team’s attitude has been to continually improve each and every time they touch the floor.
The Lady Falcons will see Chestatee in the first round, an opponent that Newton knows will certainly test her young team.
“Chestatee is very well coached and has talented young players,” said Newton. “We are going to have to defend the three-point line and score more than we have been early this season to knock them off.”
Regardless of the opponents or results of the tournament, Newton knows that the Lanierland Tournament will give her players memories they will never forget.
“We all have our Lanierland stories and moments we will never forget if you have been a part of basketball in Hall County. It’s special to continue making those memories through the years.”
PHOTO BY COURTNEY KIDD
GAINESVILLE RED ELEPHANTS GIRLS
DEFENSIVE INTENSITY
Gainesville wants to play fast and physical
By BO WILSON
Head coach Vanessa White is pleased with her team’s start to the season.
is our defensive intensity and how well we’re playing as a unit,” White said. “It’s created opportunities for us, and it’s great to get back to our full-court style of play for 32 minutes, which was a staple my first year here.”
After an up-and-down 2023-24 season, Gainesville returns a blend of veteran and young, emerging talent, led by senior guards Julia Payne and Mattie White, along with junior guard Kelsey Lester and junior post Brannen Shiloh.
“Our returning players know the culture and the big picture we’re working towards,” White said. “They’ve done a great job of guiding our freshmen, who bring natural talent and energy. The mix of experience and youth is exciting.”
White is now in her third season at Gainesville and said the program learned from last season’s ups and downs.
“Last season was tough early on,” White said. “Players had to step outside their comfort zones and even play out of position, which hurt us at first. But in the long run, it developed their skills and resilience. Now, we’re reaping the benefits of those struggles, and I feel we’re in a perfect place to get back to where we were in year one.”
does things the right way,” White said. “We’ve been watching film and preparing. For us, it’s all about getting better every day, so we’re ready to compete. It’s going to be a challenge.”
The team’s identity remains rooted in defense. White described Gainesville’s “get-up-in-yourface” style as the foundation for their success.
“We’re playing 8-9 kids in our rotation right now, and they’ve fully bought into our defensive mindset. Great defense produces good offense, and that’s what we’re striving for.”
Gainesville will have a challenging first-round matchup with a Cherokee Bluff team that hopes to contend for the title.
“They’re tough and talented, and their coach
White emphasized the mental and physical grind of the three-day tournament, stressing the importance of preparation.
“It’s about being in shape and mentally locked in,” she said. “Each game requires a different plan, so we focus on adaptability and staying resilient.”
As for the tournament itself, White said it’s unlike any environment she’s coached in before.
“The energy, the environment, the fans—it’s indescribable,” she said. “It’s great for the players
to have this stage, and it prepares us for the rigors of region play and the postseason. You know everything we learn, positive and negative, from Lanierland we will take with us as we go through the season.”
But winning the three-day tournament isn’t easy. Every coach talks about the grind of getting prepared each day to compete with very little time to do so. White said to win it all, they must take it one game at a time.
“It starts and ends with defense,” she said. “If we play our style and take it one game at a time, leave everything out on the court, we’ll give ourselves a chance.”
PHOTO BY SETH CHAPMAN
MATTIE WHITE
JOHNSON KNIGHTS GIRLS STEADY IMPROVEMENT
Knights working on consistency and growth
By WALKER MCCRARY
The Lady Knights may not be playing in the main bracket of Lanierland this season, but that doesn’t mean these girls have nothing to play for.
Head coach Jared Hodge has already seen his team grow throughout the season, despite falling short in their first games of the year.
“We have started the year off 0-5 (as of the time of writing), but we have played in a couple of really com petitive games,” said Hodge. “The Flowery Branch game was closer than the score might indicate, and we let two games against East Jackson and West Hall get away from us in the fourth quarter.”
That wasn’t the case last year, as the Lady Knights went 3-22, with two of their wins coming in the first three games of the year. This year, despite losing four of five starters from last year and most of their scoring output from 2023-24, this team, according to Hodge, has already grown into a team that has an opportunity to win more games.
“We talk a lot about the three E’s: energy, effort and execution. We have a competitive group that has been relentless all season, so if we can put those three things together consistently, we will give ourselves a shot at being in games late.”
Most of the early season success has come from returning players Emily Hernandez and Karina Ordonez. Emily, a junior, is averaging 11.6 points per game and nearly eight boards an outing, while senior Ordonez is pulling down over 10 rebounds per game.
“Harbor Landers is also off to a great start for us,” said Hodge. “She is averaging 12 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game and is shooting 28 percent from behind the arc.”
Hodge knows that this young group still has some growing up to do, though. The two biggest things he wants his team to work on are free throws and turn-
THE KNIGHTS ROSTER
“We are averaging over 23 free throws per game right now, which is a big part of what we are trying to do offensively. But we are only shooting 31.9 percent from the line. On top of that, we are averaging 41 turnovers a game. It’s really hard to win games when you have those numbers in those stat lines.”
But the Lady Knights have shown their strengths in their ability to create scoring opportunities. Johnson gets to the free-throw line as much as anyone else in Region 6-3A and has started to develop a defensive identity: one of tough, gritty play.
“We know we aren’t the tallest, we aren’t the most
athletic, and we aren’t the most skilled team most nights we step on the floor. But we can offset that by playing really good defense, rebounding the ball, and attacking the basket on offense. Just have to limit the self-inflicted damage with so many turnovers.”
Johnson lost to West Hall in the Lanierland playin game, 46-42, but Hodge knows how important Lanierland is to the Hall County community.
“This tournament is synonymous with Christmas for this community. Everyone looks forward to this time of year, and when Christmas rolls around, you know it’s time for Lanierland. This tournament has always been about the Hall County community and bringing all different parts of our community together to compete for bragging rights on the court.”
PHOTO BY SETH CHAPMAN
LAKEVIEW LIONS GIRLS
REIGNING CHAMPS
Lady Lions seek to defend title
By WALKER MCCRARY
Lakeview enters this iteration of the Lanierland Tournament as the reigning and defending champions, a position they have never held before.
Looking back on the program’s milestone, head coach Ken Huffman says it was not only a testament to the work and commitment of the Lady Lions’ pro gram but also a standard for what is achievable for them.
“It wasn’t just about the trophy,” said Huffman. “it was about showing our kids that we can compete at the highest level year after year. It gave us even more motivation to continue building on that success.”
And build on that success they did. The Lady Lions won the GIAA Class 3A State Championship for the first time in program history.
Now, the Lady Lions are looking to defend their tournament titles, starting with the annual Hall Coun ty event. While there are many returning faces, there are also new players that Huffman is very excited about.
“Our returners know exactly what it takes to win at the highest level, and they’ve really stepped up as lead ers,” said Huffman. “The new players have added fresh energy and depth to the roster, and we’ve done a good job of incorporating them into our system quickly.”
And it has shown on the floor. Heading into De cember, the Lady Lions are 3-1, with their only loss coming in the season opener against St. Francis. That game showed Lakeview where they stand early in the 2024-25 season.
Dynesty Putman has been out of the lineup early in the season, but Huffman is hopeful she will get to see the floor in Lanierland.
“We learned a lot about our weaknesses but also saw glimpses of the potential we have,” said Huffman. “We’re focused on ironing out the kinks and coming together as a cohesive unit. Our defensive rotations and transition offense still need some fine-tuning. We’re also working on our communication, making sure everyone is on the same page, especially under pressure. If we can tighten up these areas, it will make a big difference as the season progresses.”
The Lady Lions will again be led by Taliah Gaither, last year’s MVP of the event, and Taylor Clark.
“Another player that has stepped up for us is Emyrie Combs, our point guard,” said Huffman. “She has really embraced her leadership role and has been fantastic at running the offense, staying composed, and making the right plays. With Dynesty Putman out, Emyrie has stepped up as a primary scoring option, averaging 22 points per game.”
The Lady Lions will face West Hall in the opening round of the tournament, but Huffman and Lakeview are focused on the few games before the start of the tournament before giving their full attention to defending the title.
“Once we get past Baldwin, we’ll start looking at film and breaking down their strengths and weaknesses. But the way we approach every game is the same: it’s about doing what we do best. If we execute our game plan at a high level and stay true to our strengths, we’ll give ourselves a chance to win, no matter who we’re playing.”
While Lakeview might be the favorites on paper, with all the returning players and momentum, they know how tough it is to win this tournament, much less do it back-to-back.
“Hall County is full of talented teams, and each one deserves respect—no opponent can be taken for granted,” said Huffman. “Tournaments are unpredictable, and anything can happen once the games begin.
PHOTO BY SETH CHAPMAN
EMYRIE COMBS
NORTH HALL TROJANS
GIRLS
NEW COACH, NEW LOOK
Atha adds her mark on program
By WALKER MCCRARY
Not since winning three straight titles from 1986-88 have the Lady Trojans been on a better run in Lanierland than over the past six seasons.
The North Hall Lady Trojans have a new leader as their head coach in Anna Claire Atha, who takes over the storied program after Eric Herrick left in the offseason.
This will be her first time coaching in the historic Lanierland tournament, and she says it is an exciting opportunity.
“It’s a special thing to get to be a part of and coach, and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Atha. “It’s especially exciting that we get to host the first round. I am so thankful to work in a county that values bas ketball so much.”
Atha has hit the ground running, going 3-2 in the non-region portion of their schedule. She credits her good start to her time at North Hall to how she has built her relationship with the team.
“I think over the past few months, I’ve been able to build some really great relationships and rapport with the girls in the program,” said Atha. “They are all awesome kids who pour their hearts into our program! They are very coachable and gritty, tough kids. We are very young, so I’ve been proud of how my older kids have welcomed and taken our many freshmen under their wings.”
Those younger players have had to play significant minutes for the Lady Trojans in the early portion of the season when the program was experiencing a lot of adversity.
“We have certainly experienced early adversity with injuries, but the girls are playing hard together, so I am really proud of their effort so far,” said Atha. “We have a long way to go, but the kids are bought in and doing things the right way. We are playing about five freshmen per game, so we are young but learning and improving every single game.”
With youth comes some inexperience, which may play a part in this year’s tournament. One thing Atha says they need to improve on from the early
THE TROJANS ROSTER
games this season is their ball security.
But one advantage that many youths will bring to this tournament is depth. Atha sees that as a plus in their column through Lanierland.
“I think that all of my players will be key in the tournament,” said Atha. “Whether they play 32 minutes or no minutes at all, we talk every day about the value that every single person in our program brings. I think the players on the bench will be especially important in this tournament to bring energy and excitement from the sidelines in an awesome environment.”
North Hall has already played its first-round opponent once this year. On November 12, the Lady
Vikings took on East Hall in their second game of the season, a 60-52 win. Since then, at the time of writing, the Lady Trojans blew out Forsyth Central and Flowery Branch before an eight-point loss at South Forsyth.
But facing East Hall again gives the Lady Trojans a chance to get some revenge and to try to get one step closer to returning to the championship game for the fourth straight year.
“We played East Hall early in the season, so we are definitely familiar with them,” said Atha. “Coach Cochran does an unbelievable job, and he has some great players, so we will definitely have our work cut out for us in the first round.”
PHOTO BY SETH CHAPMAN
WEST HALL SPARTANS GIRLS BETTER TOGETHER
Lady Spartans ahead of rebuild schedule
By WALKER MCCRARY
The West Hall girls’ basketball program has changed drastically since head coach Jacob Selman took over three years ago.
Back then, the Lady Spartans struggled to hit double digits in some games. Now, West Hall is scoring a lot of points, has depth, and is winning basketball games.
“The growth has been phenomenal,” said Selman. “We have three returning seniors who have grown exponentially over the last two years, and, for the first time in seven years, we have enough girls participating to bring back a JV team, which is something we are very proud of.”
That growth is definitely showing as the Lady Spartans are back in the Lanierland Tournament for the second time under Selman.
“It’s always an exciting tournament and a hallmark of Hall County basketball. It’s an honor to be part of its history, especially for our seniors to play in it one last time while also introducing our freshmen to the experience.”
As of the time of writing, West Hall is 3-2, including a four-point win over Johnson in the play-in game. The last time West Hall had three wins before December 1 was the 2017-18 season when they started 4-0. This early success has come from the experience of their senior class, coupled with a freshman “triple threat.”
“Zy Farmer, Peyton Morrow and Niyah Harris are three players who have seen a lot of minutes early on in their high school careers. I’m excited to see how they come together and show out this season.”
But Selman knows that the senior class will have a huge role in the tournament. Those seniors will have to keep the younger players calm during the excitement of playing in the annual Hall County tournament for the first time and the environment that Lanierland brings year in and year out.
The Lady Spartans will open the tournament by
taking on defending champion Lakeview, but Selman sees this as an opportunity to assess their current situation and make adjustments moving forward. One thing he knows his team needs to work on coming into the tournament is their tempo.
“Being such a young team, we really need to focus on picking up the pace early in games and playing with tempo,” said Selman. “Basketball requires consistent work and improvement. We need more in-game varsity experience to help these players grow into their full potential.”
West Hall definitely has their hands full with the Lady Lions in the opening round, but Selman thinks his team can still see success in the tournament, re-
gardless of the results.
“We need to come out tough, get in the right mindset, work together, and stay fundamentally sound. Scoring and ball possession are critical, as is applying defensive pressure and avoiding turnovers. At the end of the day, we must come together as a team. That’s what “Better Together” is all about.”
Being “Better Together” is more than just a saying for this team; it’s their mantra and motto. The senior leaders, with the youth and energy coming into the program, will continue to grow the program in the right direction.
“I hope by the end of this season, we’ll have a clearer sense of our identity and how this new team dynamic will shape us moving forward.”
PHOTO BY SETH CHAPMAN
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