Bulldogs’ varsity record now 5-1 as they prepare for tournament

The Gainesville Bulldogs varsity basketball team brought their season record to 5-1 after a 63-26 home-court victory over the Lutie Indians Friday, Dec. 18. 

GHS junior Jake Leeker led the scoring with 20 points, followed by Bryce Hambelton with 14 and Landry Jenkins with 12. Carter Wise added 6, Easton McGee 5, Wyatt Alms 3, Isaac Barnett 2 and Ryan Poe 1.

Bryce Hambelton led in rebounds with 12, followed by Jake Leeker with 7 and Easton McGee with 5. Landry Jenkins led in assists with 4, followed by Leeker and Hambelton, who had 3 each. Hambelton led in steals with 4 and took a charge during the game.

“I felt like our team gave a good effort defensively, mixing up our defensive strategies a little more than we had the first few games,” said GHS head coach Morris Jenkins. “Offensively, we had 16 assists on 21 made field goals, which reflects unselfish play. We had 20 turnovers, which is a concern that we are going to have to improve on, but I believe we have capable ball handlers. We just need to improve on our decision making.”

Gainesville’s junior varsity also beat Lutie Friday night, with a final score of 29-13. Players scoring for the JV were Jarett Hogan 8, Garrett Taber 6, Camden Evans 5, Andrew Hambelton 4, and Karson Hubbard, Sean Wallace and Nathan Kiger with 2 each.

The varsity team will compete in the Cabool Holiday Tournament Dec. 26-30. The 16-team tournament kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, when number one seed Thayer takes on Lutie, seeded 16. Following that game, the Dora Falcons, seeded ninth, will play Mansfield, seeded eighth. Gainesville, seeded in the number five spot, will take on Eminence, seeded 12, at 1:30 p.m. 

Seeding for the tournament is: Thayer, Alton, Licking, Norwood, Gainesville, Salem, Cabool, Mansfield, Dora, Winona, Summersville, Eminence, Lesterville, Plato, Koshkonong, Lutie. The tournament bracket can be seen online at https://mo02207039.schoolwires.net/Page/791.

Gainesville’s JV takes third at Norwood tourney

Gainesville’s junior varsity team competed in the Norwood JV Tournament last week and won two out of three games, bringing home third place out of the eight competing teams. The Bulldogs defeated Seymour 53-23 in the first round of the tournament Monday, Dec. 14. Andrew Hambelton led the way with 13 points, followed by Grayden Rowbotham with 11. Other players scoring for GHS were Sean Wallace 8, Nathan Kiger 7, Jarrett Hogan 5, Garrett Taber 4, Camden Evans 3 and Karson Hubbard 2.

The Bulldogs took on Willow Springs Wednesday, Dec 16, but fell 58-37 to the Bears. Jarett Hogan and Grayden Rowbotham led Gainesville’s scoring efforts with 10 each. Others scoring were Nathan Kiger 6, Sean Wallace 5, Camden Evans 4 and Andrew Hambelton 2.

Gainesville returned Thursday, Dec. 17, and defeated Ava 47-39 to take the third-place trophy. Nathan Kiger led the scoring with 15 points, followed by Garrett Taber with 10. Sean Wallace scored 7 points, and Camden Evans and Grayden Rowbotham added 6 points each. Andrew Hambelton chipped in 3.