2006-07 Basketball: Hamilton Tournament – Bulldogs vs. Trenton

Gallatin’s boys completed a 13-point turnaround in the fourth quarter to rally past Trenton, 58-52, Tuesday night to earn a spot in Thursday’s semifinal round of the Hamilton Invitational Tournament.

The Bulldogs, who trailed, 43-36, heading into the final quarter, rallied with a 22-9 surge in the final eight minutes to keep from dropping to the consolation side of the bracket. Gallatin tightened up its defense, crashed the boards and hit 6 of 14 free throws down the stretch.

Nic Burrell opened fourth quarter scoring with a three-pointer, then snagged a long rebound and passed ahead to Andrew Adkison, who drew a foul and hit one free throw. Burrell picked the pocket of Derek Miller and passed to Brett Wilkinson, who flipped to Adkison for a quick layup. Andy Ward nailed a trey from the corner at the 4:42 mark to give Gallatin its first lead, 47-46, since the first quarter.

Wilkinson bounce-passed to Adkison for a bucket. Adkison took a lob from the corner and dribbled the length of the baseline for two, and the Bulldogs led, 51-46.

With time running out on Trenton, Wilkinson soared for a big defensive rebound that allowed Gallatin to take the clock down to 2:06. Wilkinson, fouled on the other end, sank both attempts to pad the GHS lead.

Gallatin hit only three of seven free throw tries in the final minute of action, but it was enough to hold off the upset-minded and sixth-seeded Bulldogs from Trenton, who managed only eight field goals in the second half.

Adkison led Gallatin with 20 points, including eight in the third quarter turnaround. Ward parleyed his best game of the season into a 15-point scoring effort that included three treys. Burrell finished with 13 for Gallatin.

The Bulldogs face the #2 seeded Richmond Spartans at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Top-seeded West Platte takes on #4 South Harrison tonight (Wednesday) at 6 in the other boys semifinal.