The Gresham boys win 52-48 and sit in third place at the halfway point of the league season
TROUTDALE Whenever it needed points Friday night, the Gresham boys basketball team knew exactly where to find them. The Gophers pounded the ball inside throughout the second half to hold off a pesky Reynolds squad 52-48.
The Gophers took a five-point lead into halftime, but quickly expanded the margin to double digits by firing the ball repeatedly inside to center Ethan Hamilton. The 6-foot-4 senior came up with three baskets in the first three minutes of the half.
Gresham led by as many as 12 points only to see the host Raiders cut it to four early in the fourth quarter when Brandon Williams flew to the rim for a layup.
An injury paused the action for a few minutes, allowing both teams to gather near the sideline for a quick strategy session. After hoisting up a pair of missed 3s early in the quarter, the Gophers would attempt just one shot outside the paint the rest of the way.
The return to the rim paid off, as Greshams lead mushroomed back to 10 points.
The Gophers left the door open for a potential comeback by going just 6 for 12 (.500) at the free-throw line down the stretch, but turnovers and missed 3s kept the Raiders playing from behind.
Look for extended game coverage in the Tuesday, Feb. 5, print edition.
View a photo gallery from the game at
http://daveball.exposuremanager.com/g/feb1_gre-rey_boys_hoops