Bulldogs compete at Sparta tourney

The Gainesville Bulldogs competed in the Sparta Trojan Invitational Tournament last week, where they won one game and lost two.

“Our guys competed well against good opponents. We showed signs of being a better rebounding team as the week progressed and also demonstrated an ability to get the ball in the paint more consistently.  I was proud of how we battled and put ourselves in position to do well,” Coach Morris Jenkins said.

The Bulldogs took on Crocker (14-6) in the first round  on Tuesday, Jan. 28, and played a tough game but lost 71-58. Dawson Hewett led the scoring with 21 points, followed by Grant Leeker with 17 and Owen Donley with 14. Hunter Luna added 4 and Avery Rodrigue chipped in 2. Hewett and Leeker led in rebounds with 5 and 4, respectively.

The Bulldogs returned to Sparta on Thursday and defeated Billings 71-61 in the second round of play. Gainesville had four players score in the double digits. Grant Leeker and Dawson Hewett led the scoring with 18 points each, followed by Owen Donley with 17 and Hunter Luna with 11. Avery Rodrigue added 3, and Kolby Anderson and Bradyn Frye scored 2 each. Luna led the rebounding column with 6. Donley led in steals with 4.

The win led to a battle with host Sparta for the consolation prize of the tournament, but after a hard-fought game, the Trojans slipped by the Bulldogs 48-42.

 Grant Leeker led the scoring for Gainesville with 13 points. Owen Donley and Hunter Luna scored 9 each, followed by Dawson Hewett with 7 and Avery Rodrigue with 4. Leeker led in rebounds with 6, followed by Rodigue and Hewett with 4.

Grant Leeker was named to the all-tournament team.

The Bulldogs, who are on the road for their next three games, headed to Seymour Tuesday, Feb. 4. They will travel to Norwood Friday, Feb. 7 and then head to Dora on Monday, Dec. 10.