The Boiling Springs Bulldogs's recent rough patch got a bit rougher on Friday after their seventh straight loss. They took a 57-45 hit to the loss column at the hands of Gaffney. While losing is never fun, Boiling Springs can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' South Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 131st, while Gaffney is ranked 27th).
Gaffney found their leader in underclassman Rickey Littlejohn, who scored 28 points along with five rebounds. As a matter of fact, that's the most points Littlejohn has scored all season. The team also got some help courtesy of Londin Bailey, who scored nine points along with five assists and five rebounds.
Gaffney used a slightly different lineup for their bout with Boiling Springs. Three players got more time on the court than they're used to: Scotland Dover (13), Sincere Lenair (nine), and Kaleb Phillips (23). The trio had averaged 2.3, 1.88, and 10.68 minutes respectively before Friday's matchup. Dover made the most of the opportunity, scoring four points along with seven rebounds. A few more games like that and he might be seeing even more time going forward.
Boiling Springs has traveled a rocky road recently having lost 11 of their last 13 matchups, which put a noticeable dent in their 7-14 record this season. As for Gaffney, the victory (which was their third in a row) raised their record to 15-7.
Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Boiling Springs will challenge Spartanburg at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Spartanburg is on a three-game streak of home losses, Boiling Springs a four-game streak of away losses, but someone's luck is about to change. As for Gaffney, they will head out on the road to challenge Dorman at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Gaffney knows how to get points on the board -- the squad has finished with flashy point totals in its past nine matches -- so hopefully Dorman likes a good challenge.
