Donley leads Gators past Hoboes (with photos)

LAUREL HILL – Senior guard Chad Donley put the Gators on his back scoring 20 second-half points as Baker came from 12 points down early in the third quarter to beat Laurel Hill 75-70 on Tuesday.

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Laurel Hill coach Kent Zessin wasn’t disappointed in his team, but chose to give credit where credit was due.

“I felt like we played well,” he said. “Chad, as a senior and captain, did what he had to do to bring his team through and my hat’s off to him for doing what he did.

“He came out here and hit some big threes in the second half and they hit some free throws and that was difference in the game. They went a little defense change in the second half to hold Issaic (Williams) down. Overall it was a good battle and that’s how we want to be playing this time of year with that kind of intensity.”

The already short Hobo bench was a little shorter with post player Jared Pickron serving a one-game suspension for disciplinary reasons.

But that didn’t seem to bother Laurel Hill (15-7) in the first half.

The Hoboes took the lead at 11-9 on a Seth Strickland basket with 2:11 left in the first quarter.

Laurel Hill continued to build the lead behind Strickland and Williams, who combined for 25 of the 42 first-half points for the Hoboes.

David Frey did his part to keep the Gators (17-6) within comeback distance scoring all eight of his points in the first half.

Laurel Hill led 42-35 at the intermission and stretched the lead to 49-37 on baskets by Strickland, Travon Calloway and Ethan Jackson.

A 3-pointer by Colten Henry pulled Baker back to within single digits.

A basket by Williams put Laurel Hill back in front by 11.

That’s when Donley took over scoring 10 of the next 14 points for the Gators.

Donley was just getting warmed up as he drained three 3-pointers and hit a free throw in the fourth quarter.

A Donley 3-pointer with 3:43 put Baker in front 66-65.

The Gators outscored Laurel Hill 9-5 down the stretch to hold on for the win.

Donley finished the night with 27 points. Jarrod Batson added 15 for the Gators and Henry `0.

Williams led Laurel Hill with 22 points. Jackson had 15 points for the Hoboes, 14 of which came in the second half. Strickland finished the game with 13 points

Gator coach Mike Martello agreed with Zessin that Donley was the difference maker.

“I think Chad Donley and his senior leadership and what he brings to the table is what won the basketball game for us,” he said. “Heading into the playoffs, I hope some of the other guys saw how hard he played and it motivates them to play a little better.

“We didn’t play very well, I thought, until those last few minutes of the game.”

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