Buchholz holds off Gainesville to end long losing streak against rival

None of the current Buchholz Bobcats boys basketball players were on the team the last time they beat rival Gainesville back in 2014. 

But they were definitely aware of the 12-game losing streak against the Hurricanes going into Friday night's game at the Purple Palace. 

Four Buchholz players scored in double figures to lead a balanced attack, and the Bobcats knocked down nine 3-pointers and never trailed in holding off Gainesville 65-61. 

First-year Buchholz head coach George Atohi gets his first win against Gainesville in only his second game in the rivalry. He said the Bobcats were well aware about their drought against the Hurricanes. 

"We talked about it in the shootaround this afternoon," Atohi said. "The players were definitely aware of the streak and I am definitely of the way they played tonight."

The win was the third in a row for Buchholz (6-8), which knocked off Ocala Vanguard and Newberry earlier this week. The Bobcats took the lead from the start in the opening quarter, as senior Jhett Hill scored eight of his 12 points and Buchholz hit four 3-pointers to take a 16-8 lead after the opening eight minutes. 

Buchholz kept it up in the second period, extending the lead to 33-22 at the half, as Ryan Webster hit a couple of shots from 3-point land. Matthew Willenborg added a trey as well. 

The Bobcats went on a 7-0 run to start the second half to take their biggest lead of the game at 40-22. But then Gainesville started knocking down 3s. Freshman Kameren Wright knocked down two treys and senior Josh Graham hit two more and the Hurricanes cut the lead under double digits before settling for a 52-41 deficit heading into the fourth quarter. 

"We played well defensively to start," Atohi said. "They (Gainesville) started making some three-pointers in the second half and made it close, and kind of expected that to happen."

Gainesville came within two points, but Buchholz hit a big shot every time it needed it to stay ahead. 

The Hurricanes got to within two points on a couple of occasions, but couldn't take the lead. Buchholz stayed ahead down the stretch as junior Aamari Reaves made four free throws in a row and senior Tyler Gainey added another free throw. 

Webster and Hill led Buchholz with 12 points, and Reaves and Willenborg had 10 apiece. 

"We have been playing our best when we have four guys scoring between 8 to 12 or 12 to 15 points," Atohi said. 

Gainesville, which was playing its first game in two weeks due to COVID-19 issues, was led by Wright with 17 points and senior Justus Wilburn added 14. 

Hurricanes coach Kelly Beckham, who is recovering from the virus, remains five wins shy of 800 for his career. He says the layoff hurt his team a bit. 

"When you only practice once for two weeks and then try to play, it does have an effect," Beckham said. "Take nothing away from Buchholz, though, they played their game plan to perfection. I can't fault my team's effort."

Gainesville returns to action tonight against Vanguard at the Purple Palace. 

The Bobcats are coming together at the right time. 

"It actually started a few weeks ago against Crystal River and Columbia," Atohi said. "We are definitely peaking at the right time, and we are looking forward to postseason play coming up."