HS Team Preview: Gainesville

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gainesville's team this year excites me and I think they could very well be one of the biggest bounce-back teams in the state when it's all said and done. With their combination of returning experience and incoming transfers, Gainesville has gotten significantly better since last season. Despite a down year in 2021-2022, the Red Elephants have had a strong program over the past decade and can certainly return to their winning ways this year behind the leadership of Coach Chuck Graham.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Roster</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'2 G [player_tooltip player_id='820308' first='Charlie' last='Reisman']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reisman returns after leading the team in scoring and being selected All-Region last year. The senior guard can score from all 3 levels and plays with a high-IQ. I can imagine Reisman being the heartbeat of this year's team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 5'10 G [player_tooltip player_id='1391898' first='Julius' last='Jackson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1391898' first='Julius' last='Jackson'] also brings valuable experience to the backcourt, having started every game at point guard last season. Jackson is a gifted passer and lead last year's team in assists. He shoots it well from 3 as well and will likely play a large role again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'6 F Isaiah Rico</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isaiah Rico transfers in from Lakeview where he was a major contributor last season. The 6'6 wing is a knockdown shooter from deep and has some sneaky bounce in his game. Rico's size and shooting ability should compliment the rest of the team nicely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'2 G [player_tooltip player_id='953621' first='Cade' last='Simmons']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='953621' first='Cade' last='Simmons'] is another incoming transfer that could make a major impact. The combo guard comes from Cherokee Bluff where has was one of their leading scorers. Simmons is a big-time scorer, shoots it really well, and will help create a lot of offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'3 F Keontae Flenoy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flenoy is a scrappy, 6'3 wing that began to show some nice flashes towards the end of last season. Flenoy has a nice touch from the outside but could make a major impact because of his hard-nosed defense and rebounding. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'5 F [player_tooltip player_id='1444776' first='Ellis' last='Pitts']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1444776' first='Ellis' last='Pitts'] is another key contributor that will return from last year's squad. He's a long, athletic wing that can score in a variety of ways on the offensive end. His rebounding ability will be important again this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'4 F Bryce Spain </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spain is another returning senior from within the program and plays with a high-motor all the time. Spain does a lot of the dirty work, fighting for rebounds and playing tough defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->