Bengals, Whirlies to meet in final
BOB SUTTON Special to the Journal
Even without its longtime coach and, for more than half the game, minus one of its stand out players, the Greensboro Day School boys’ basketball team had plenty enough in the semifinal round of the HAEGOisHiring. com Invitational. So the Bengals (17-2) should be full of confidence going into the title game against undefeated Grimsley (10-0) at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
“We’re going to have the same preparation for every game,” GDS guard Jaydon Young said. “(Coach Freddy Johnson) instills in us the things we have to do.”
The Bengals executed those with precision at times in Tues day night’s 63-35 romp past Smith at the Greensboro Col iseum Special Events Center. Grimsley topped Page 50-41 in the late semifinal.
GDS has won eight of the nine tournament championships. Grimsley is in the final for the first time since winning the 2009 crown.
Johnson missed his second game in as many nights because of COVID protocols and isn’t likely to be back for the final. Longtime assistant coach Jeff Smith, as he did early in the sea son because Johnson had neck surgery, filled in.
“We’ll be going from here like I’m going to be the coach (for the title game),” Smith said.
That works for the Bengals.
“It’s a piece missing but all the coaches are prepared to help us,” senior Jackson Noble said.
The status of GDS guard Michael Zanoni could be a bit in question as well after he hobbled off with an injury. Zanoni went out with 4:19 left in the second quarter with a right ankle injury while tumbling the court following contact with Smith’s Richard Goods. He spent a chunk of the second half with his left propped up on a chair at the end of the bench.
“He probably could have come back and played,” Smith said. “It shouldn’t be anything long term.”
Zanoni missed his first two attempts on 3s and then drained the next two. He finished with eight points in 10 min utes, aiding what became a 28-7 cushion.
“It has been next-man up with us all season, but he should be good (for Wednesday),” Noble said.
The Bengals like the variety of opponents in a tournament setting.
“It’s pretty normal for us,” Young said.
NayShaun Hale’s 11 points led Smith (7-4). The Bengals achieved one of their objectives by limiting Goods to six points
BOB SUTTON Special to the Journal
Even without its longtime coach and, for more than half the game, minus one of its stand out players, the Greensboro Day School boys’ basketball team had plenty enough in the semifinal round of the HAEGOisHiring. com Invitational. So the Bengals (17-2) should be full of confidence going into the title game against undefeated Grimsley (10-0) at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
“We’re going to have the same preparation for every game,” GDS guard Jaydon Young said. “(Coach Freddy Johnson) instills in us the things we have to do.”
The Bengals executed those with precision at times in Tues day night’s 63-35 romp past Smith at the Greensboro Col iseum Special Events Center. Grimsley topped Page 50-41 in the late semifinal.
GDS has won eight of the nine tournament championships. Grimsley is in the final for the first time since winning the 2009 crown.
Johnson missed his second game in as many nights because of COVID protocols and isn’t likely to be back for the final. Longtime assistant coach Jeff Smith, as he did early in the sea son because Johnson had neck surgery, filled in.
“We’ll be going from here like I’m going to be the coach (for the title game),” Smith said.
That works for the Bengals.
“It’s a piece missing but all the coaches are prepared to help us,” senior Jackson Noble said.
The status of GDS guard Michael Zanoni could be a bit in question as well after he hobbled off with an injury. Zanoni went out with 4:19 left in the second quarter with a right ankle injury while tumbling the court following contact with Smith’s Richard Goods. He spent a chunk of the second half with his left propped up on a chair at the end of the bench.
“He probably could have come back and played,” Smith said. “It shouldn’t be anything long term.”
Zanoni missed his first two attempts on 3s and then drained the next two. He finished with eight points in 10 min utes, aiding what became a 28-7 cushion.
“It has been next-man up with us all season, but he should be good (for Wednesday),” Noble said.
The Bengals like the variety of opponents in a tournament setting.
“It’s pretty normal for us,” Young said.
NayShaun Hale’s 11 points led Smith (7-4). The Bengals achieved one of their objectives by limiting Goods to six points
