Gainesville Bulldogs defeat Sparta in first round of district tournament


Gainesville senior Brandon Poe brings the ball down the court during the Bulldogs’ first-round win over Sparta at the Class 1 District 4 tournament in Norwood Monday night. Photo by Karla Smith.

The Gainesville Bulldogs beat Sparta 51-46 in their first-round game of the Class 2 District 4 tournament Monday, Feb. 21, at Norwood. The win gives them a chance to avenge last week’s conference loss to Hartville, which defeated Norwood in first round district action Monday. Gainesville  (16-10) plays Hartville (20-7) tonight (Wednesday) at 7:30 in the semi-finals.

The Bulldogs traveled to Hartville Tuesday, Feb. 13, and faced a tough Eagles team that took a 69-46 win over the Gainesville boys.

Brodie Chapman led the scoring with 14 points, but the rest of the Bulldogs were held to single digits:  Wyatt Wilson 8, Garrett Morgan  and Brandon Poe with 6 each, Jaxon Britt 4 and John Hossman 2. Chapman and Wilson led the rebounding column with 8 each.

Gainesville coach Matt Powell said the team  is ready for another chance at Hartville after Monday night’s win over Sparta.

“We’re excited to move on in the district tournament,” said Powell after the Sparta game. “Brandon Poe and Jaxon Britt played great. It was a team win. It’s always hard against Sparta. Coach Brown does a great job.”

Gainesville had three players in double digits: Poe led with 18, followed by Britt with 14 and Chapman with 10. Willson added 5, Morgan chipped in 3 and Hossman added 1.

Chapman led in assists with 4; Wilson led in blocked shots with 4 and rebounds with 8. 

Class 2 District 4 action continues Thursday night, Feb. 22, starting at 6 p.m., with Mansfield (20-5) taking on Seymour (13-13), followed by the Gainesville vs. Hartville game. The game was rescheduled from its original date of Feb. 21 due to forecasted icy weather. 

Winners of those games will play for the district championship at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24.

Ozark County Times

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