Hazlehurst boys, Franklin Co. girls win
Published 7:00 pm Sunday, January 9, 2011
MEADVILLE – As the seasons change, so does Gabriel Gray. Thetalented Hazlehurst senior scored 29 points, added six steals andfive assists en route to sparking the Indians in an 87-46 victoryover the Franklin County Bulldogs Friday night in BulldogArena.
In the girls’ game, the undefeated FC Lady Bulldogs capped off58-41 victory over Hazlehurst as Vintrice Briggs had 17 points and11 rebounds in the win.
Gray (6-1, 180), an All-State Football standout with offers fromMississippi State, Ole Miss, USM, and Memphis has yet to pick afavorite. He’s committed to Co-Lin in baseball, only, and isexpected to be one of the top outfield prospects in the Southeastthis season before the 2011 MLB Baseball Draft.
Right now, he’s all about basketball.
Hazlehurst used Gray’s athletic prowess to take a 38-24 lead athalftime, before watching Gray explode for 17 points in the thirdquarter to give the Indians a sizeable advantage.
“I’m just doing what I can,” said Gray following the game. “We’vegot a good team.”
The matchup was hyped up as a highly anticipated meeting betweenGray and Franklin County senior guard Milton Griffin, who like Grayis also a top football and baseball prospect. Griffin seemsdestined to sign a football scholarship with Co-Lin, as a receiver,but he’s also left the door open to play basketball or baseball incollege.
Griffin, a 5-foot-10, 155-pound point guard, scored 14 points andshowcased his ball-handling skills with six assists and threesteals. Dee Bowie added nine points for the Bulldogs, while ShaunOliver had eight points.
The Lady Bulldogs (13-0, 3-0) ranked second in Class 3A and eightoverall in the state, used the inside presence of Briggs andJessica Jackson to take control of the first half with a 33-18 leadat intermission.
Franklin County guard Allison Hauer also got into the scoring inthe third quarter draining a trey and collecting two steals duringa 9-4 run for the Lady Bulldogs in that quarter.
Hazlehurst senior Octavia Anderson led all scorers with 18 points.Sophomore Romeicia Durr added nine points.
For Franklin County, Jackson added 13 points, while Hauer finishedwith seven points.