The Greenbrier East Spartans are proving they belong this year with how they have played so far early in this hectic 2021 basketball season.
This past Thursday, March 11, they started three consecutive days of games stretch. Fatigue possibly became a factor on Saturday against Huntington when the Spartans lost 65-60, but won their first two against Bluefield 88-55 and Oak Hill 64-43.
Against the Beavers, the Gabbert brothers started off hot as William Gabbert hit two three-pointers and Goose cashed in one as well. Bailee Coles had a dunk shortly thereafter and East had a commanding 11-3 lead to start the game.
The Beavers would eventually tie the contest at 16-all after they went on a 9-0 run, but from that point forward, it was the Spartans show on hardwood.
East used good defense and turned that into great ball movement and good offense as they took control and held a 42-29 halftime lead.
Sam Aultz stole the show in the second half and provided that third scoring option that the Spartans need moving forward. He ended up the Magic’s Computer Repair player of the game.
William Gabbert had 24 points.
East followed that impressive performance with another in the win over Oak Hill. Playing without their starting point guard, the Red Devils struggled to find any offensive consistency and the Spartans took complete advantage.
Coles dunk midway through the opening quarter gave East an 11-7 advantage then Monquelle Davis scored four in a row to help extend that lead.
William Gabbert then drained a trifecta at the buzzer and the Spartans led 18-8 after one.
Coles and W. Gabbert teamed up for a 9-0 run early in the second then Coles scored off two offensive rebounds and the Spartans went cruising. Toss in Aaron Seams knocking in three free throws after being fouled on a 35-foot desperation heave, and East was not going to look back.
Aaron Griffith had a nice 9-point second half en route to his player of the game honors. Davey Vance also played well off the bench.
Coles led the way with 17 points. William Gabbert had 10 followed by the nine from Griffith and nine also from Goose Gabbert.
East’s loss to Huntington (3-0) was a result of facing a really good Highlanders team and fatigue from their third game in as many days.
It was an entertaining contest and was back-and-forth throughout. East struggled to stop 6’5” Amari Smith in the first half as he was on fire from all over the floor and had 16 first-half points.
East went on a 12-0 run to end the first half and led by six at the break.
But at the end, the energy just seemed to leave the Spartans legs. Coles was driving and getting to the foul line, but Huntington took advantage of their own free throws late as Brendan Hoffman hit 3-of-4 down the stretch and wrapped up an exciting game, even with East on the losing end.
The Spartans (3-1) shot just 34 percent from the field.
Coles led East with 25 points and William Gabbert had 19 in his player of the game performance. Goose Gabbert added 10.
The Spartans get a much-needed four-day break before hitting the court again on Thursday, March 18 when they travel to Pikeview.
Stats courtesy of 103.1 The Bear and Rock 95.3
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