Travelers Rest’s performance against Greer tonight in a 68-62 Yellow Jackets non-region victory is a case in point. “We played well but I feel like I’ve been on a roller coaster,” Neely said. “I thought we were the better team tonight and we should have won by more. (Travelers Rest) is a good team but we need to develop a killer instinct to put teams away when we have the opportunity.”
Greer, 4-1, plays rival Riverside tonight at Greer High School at 7:30. TR is 1-1.
Labrien Shiflet saw his shooting touch return with a team-high 26 points, including two three-pointers. He made 10 of 14 free throws. D’Anta Fleming scored 13 points and Dre Terry added 10 to lead the Yellow Jackets.
“I was a lot more patient with my shots tonight,” Shiflet said. “I was more focused and wanted to be a leader on the court.”
Shiflet, a junior guard, had an unusually difficult shooting night against Byrnes on Tuesday when he was held to six field goals. “I shot myself out of it at Byrnes,” he said. Part of that was Byrnes’ relentless defense trying to shut down Shiflet, who came into that game averaging 33.3 points.
TR was called for two technical fouls minutes apart in the second quarter after Greer built a 22-17 advantage. Despite having the opportunity to get some distance from TR, the Yellow Jackets only led 32-29 at the half.
“We have to realize what a big possession is,” assistant coach Greg Miller said. “We want to make the other team pay.”
Zack Smith came off the bench to hit two big three-pointers for Greer. His three at the end of the third quarter helped Greer to a 48-43 advantage. His three-pointer with 6:32 left in the fourth quarter widened the Yellow Jackets’ lead to 54-45.
“(Zack) gives us the opportunity to substitute a big man who can shoot threes. Teams aren’t going to send a big man out to guard him,” Miller said.
Greer won the game at the free throw line. TR recorded more field goals (25-21) than the Yellow Jackets. But Greer made 18 of 27 free throws to TR’s 4-7.
“We played an ugly game and still won. That’s a plus for us,” Neely said.
GREER 68, TRAVELERS REST 62
TRAVELERS REST 62: A.J. Starks 0 0-0 0, Bradley Jones 7 0-0 18, Alex Lambert 1 0-0 2, Quez Fisher 8 0-1 16, Kavasea Sullivan 0 0-0 0, Thomas Granger 3 1-2 7, Brian Peek 3 3-4 11. TOTALS: 25 4-7 62.3-point goals (8): Jones 4, Morgan 2, Peek 2.Fouls (20): Starks 3, Jones 2, Lambert 1, Morgan 3, Fisher 1, Sullivan 3, Granger 3, Peek 4. Technical fouls: Starks 1, Jones 1.
GREER 68: Dre Terry 2 5-7, 10, D’Anta Fleming 6 0-1 13, Eddie Ballenger 2 0-1 5, Josh Gentry 1 3-4 5, Josh Wilson 0 0-0 0, Labrien Shiflet 7 10-14 26, DaQuan Thomas 1 0-0 3, Zack Smith 2 0-0 6. TOTALS: 21 18-27 68.3-point goals (8): Terry 1, Fleming 1, Ballenger 1, Shiflet 2, Thomas 1, Smith 2. Fouls (14): Terry 1, Fleming 2, Ballenger 3, Wilson 1, Shiflet 4, Thomas 1, Smith 2.
Travelers Rest 8 21 16 17 – 62
Greer 17 15 16 20 – 68