Everything is setting up nicely for the most successful North Gwinnett basketball team in school history.
The Bulldogs posted their second blowout victory to open the AAAAAA state tournament, running away from Lambert, 74-48, Tuesday in the second round. It was North Gwinnett's 27th win, a school record, and it came with little drama.
The Bulldogs, the champions of difficult Region 7-AAAAAA, opened the state tournament with a 60-40 win over Etowah. The level of competition is expected to increase significantly in the quarterfinals. North Gwinnett will host No. 1 Wheeler at 7:30 p.m, Thursday.
"We're playing good basketball," said North Gwinnett coach Zach Smith. "Guys are really playing together, getting really good production from our big, and that's opening up things on the perimeter. I don't know if this is the best we've played all season, but we feel pretty good.
North big man Malik Turner led all scorers with 20 points, scoring on offensive putbacks and post moves. Owen Lewis scored the Bulldogs’ first six points of the game and finished with 16.
The Bulldogs controlled the first half, bothering Lambert with their length and speed. Kamaran Calhoun and Ahmad Caver beat the Longhorns down the court for layups, and sharp-shooter Jack Stucke hit a 3-pointer with seconds left in the half, sending North Gwinnett into the locker room up 34-16.
The lead ballooned to 33 in the third quarter, and the Bulldogs coasted from there. The most drama left in the gym may have occurred after the game, with North Gwinnett players and coaches standing around checking their phones for updates on a Wheeler-Shiloh game that went into four overtimes.
Meanwhile, North Gwinnett’s starters rested for the majority of the fourth quarter and should be fresh for Thursday’s quarterfinal showdown.
"Let them play seven (overtimes)," Smith added with a chuckle.
Lambert (23-7) also set a school record for wins, but got out of rhythm early and never recovered.
"I don't think we executed our plan offensively," said Lambert coach Scott Bracco. "North Gwinnett took us out of our offensive execution. Overall, though, I'm extremely proud of these guys. We had an incredible year. These boys have bought in to the system and culture that we're trying to develop at Lambert. And the future is going to be bright."
Trevor Snipes led the Longhorns with 12 points, and Tanner Hall added nine.
