Gray Hits 400 Wins in Win over Central

 WEB CAST.

The casual observer watching Wednesday night's varsity boys basketball game between Garner and Harnett Central would have no idea this history that was made on what appeared to be an unassuming 69-42 Garner victory. However what transpired on this January evening was indeed historic as Trojan head coach Eddie Gray collected his 400th career victory in the same fashion as many of his previous 399 wins, with a team effort.

Garner (14-2, 8-0) began the contest rather sluggish take a four point, 10-6 lead four minutes into the game thanks to eight first quarter points from Sammy Saunders. But Harnett Central (6-10, 2-6) hung right with the Trojans trailing by just three (17-14) after the opening half.

But, in the second stanza, Garner looked like a completely different team outscoring Central 25-12 thanks to a huge period from Demarcus Sanford who scored all eight of his first half points in the second quarter to help give the visiting Trojans a 42-26 halftime lead.

Central had no answer for the quickness of the Trojans on offense and the defensive pressure that Garner exhibited forced even Gray to crack a smile as Garner placed three in double-figures and coasted past Harnett Central 69-42.

For Gray, his 400th win came almost two years to the day of his 350th victory a 44-42 win over Knightdale on January 28, 2011 and career win number 300 was achieved on November 18, 2008 against Middle Creek.

Garner will return to action on Friday night when they play the third game of the week, another road test at Smithfield-Selma with tip-off slated for 8:00.

Varsity Girls Fall in Heart breaker


Garner went into Harnett Central and pushed the number two team in the Greater Neuse River to the limit and then some before falling in double overtime, 43-41. 

The lady Trojans who trailed by just a single point (19-18) at halftime managed to hold a slim 31-30 lead with 4:01 to play in the fourth quarter only to see a lid placed on the bucket. 

After Central tied the game on a free throw late in the game, Kelsey Bryan nailed a wide open lay up to give the Lady Trojans a 33-31 lead with five second left. But, Central raced down the court with some smart passing and scored at the buzzer to force the overtime.

In the first overtime, Garner kept things close with the game never reaching more than a three point margin as the two team battled and remained tied to force the second free period. 

Harnett Central took a three point lead early in the second overtime and despite Garner cutting the lead to one point, the lady Trojans could not get over the hump and fell 43-41 in double overtime.

Garner will travel to Smithfield-Selma on Friday night for a 6:30 tip.

JV Sweeps
Both JV teams earned victories over Harnett Central on Wednesday night. The JV girls bounced back from a loss to East Wake on Tuesday and defeated Central 38-37 in overtime while the JV boys coasted past Central 51-27.

The JV girls travel to SSS on Friday for a 4:00 start while the JV boys will follow at 5:15.