Gwinnett Daily Post

LILBURN - Shiloh head coach Don Einolf didn't want to open up the Region 8-AAAAA basketball tournament on Tuesday night at Berkmar with the same team he ended the regular season with four days ago, the Grayson Rams.

Despite not having a choice, his top-seeded Generals produced the same result as they did last Friday by beating the Rams 64-41, their third win over Grayson this season.

The win qualifies Shiloh (22-4) for the upcoming Class AAAAA state tournament and sets up a date in the region semifinals on Friday at 8:30 p.m. at Brookwood against tonight's South Gwinnett-Berkmar winner.

"Being a do-or-die game, you have to come out and be intense and be focused and tonight we were," Einolf said. "Especially after playing them back-to-back, I didn't know what kind of look they (Grayson) were going to throw at us. We really responded well tonight."

Shiloh's offense delivered a balanced attack as 11 different players scored, led by 13 points from Allen Andelija. Malcom Robinson added nine points, all coming on 3-pointers in the first half, while Brandon Anderson chipped in with seven points.

Grayson's offense had a hard time against Shiloh's defense, especially in the first half, as the Rams committed eight turnovers before the break.

Andelija and Robinson were the beneficiaries of those turnovers as the two combined for 19 points in the first half to help Shiloh mount a 30-12 lead at the break.

Grayson got its offense going in the second half as Gerard Malcom scored all 12 of his points in the last two quarters, including a four-point play in the fourth quarter.

Edwin Izenady scored seven in the second half to finish with 11 points, but their output was not enough as Grayson (8-18) was unable to slow down Shiloh on offense.

"This is a team that is very focused and ready," Einolf said. "From the moment we got together last spring, you could see that they really wanted to become region champions and get to state. That was their goal from the start and tonight was a step in the right direction."