The Gatewood Gators basketball team wrapped up the 2022-23 regular season on a high note last week.
With wins over Westminster Christian (66-45) and Brentwood Academy (70-64), Gatewood secured the GIAA Region 2-AA regular season title for a second-consecutive year under Don Keiser. The Gators also captured the region championship last week after beating the Lions and War Eagles.
“That was huge for us,” Keiser said. “I am super proud of our guys for fighting and that’s a huge accomplishment for us. Now, it’s on to the district tournament [this week] as the No. 1 overall seed.”
Per Keiser, Gatewood, Piedmont Academy, Brentwood, and WCA will compete in a district tournament against GIAA’s Region 4-AA, which consists of Edmund Burke Academy, Briarwood Academy and Augusta Day Prep. The tournament will take place this week at Brentwood in Sandersville.
This week’s competition will be played because Region 4-AA only has three teams in it. The Gators (18-4, 5-1 Region 4-AA) enter the tournament as the No. 1 overall seed and have a bye in the first round.
“It just gives us a chance to play a few more games,” Keiser said. “We’re looking to win it all.”
Following the district tournament, Gatewood will play in the Class AA state playoffs. The Gators will likely enter the postseason as the No. 4 overall seed and face the No. 13 seed next week on Feb. 22.
Gatewood is looking forward to competing and hopes to make a deep run in the state playoffs this year. The Gators made it to the quarterfinals last season before being knocked out by Furtah Prep.
“We’re number four in the state right now for Class AA. We don’t get a bye like Furtah [Prep] or CFCA of Macon but will host the first-round playoff game,” Keiser said. “That’s a positive for us.”
Gatewood will rely on players such as Matt Allen, Jackson Morris, Walker Roberts and Kaden Keiser, among others, down the stretch. They are a young squad but have been clicking as of late.
The Gators have a lot of momentum heading into the district tournament. They are currently riding a three-game winning streak, and hope to keep that going this week and capture another title.
“We’re going to be facing some good teams this week,” Keiser said.“I really feel like in the last couple of games we’ve been hitting our strides and are playing well as a team. It’s been fun to coach.”
After going 5-1 in league play, Keiser was named Region 2-AA Coach of the Year for a second straight season. That accomplishment has motivated his guys to play harder during their 22-23 campaign.
“They’re fighters,” Keiser said of his players. “We’ve faced some adversity this year, and have overcome it. That’s what you want to see as a coach. This group has grown since the start of the season.”
Gatewood will face the winner of Piemdont Academy and Briarwood Academy at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday.