LONGVIEW­—The Gilmer Buckeyes got a crash course in team play when they opened the Spring Hill Tournament with an 88-51 trashing by the Marshall Mavericks Thursday.

The Mavericks frequently changed 5-man squads when they substituted with little discernible difference between the caliber of play.

After Marshall jumped out to a 6-0 lead, the Buckeyes battled back, closing within three points at 8-5 and within four at 11-7 and 14-10.

Gilmer’s Tray Webb was leading the way with outside jumpers including a 3-pointer at 14-10.

When Wesley Johnson drove the lane and cut the lead the 19-15, the Mavericks’ coach called a time out where he was clearly displeased with his team’s effort.

Stung by his words, the Mavericks quickly forced a Gilmer turnover and stole the ball on the next Buckeye possession, rapidly increasing the lead to 10 points at 25-15.

Marshall continued the pressure, building 49-26 lead at halftime and 71-36 after three quarters.

Matt Holmes, the 6’3” senior post, led the Mavericks with 22 points and Junior Mitchell, the theft of many Buckeye turnovers, scored 13 as 12 players put points on the board.

Darrion Pollard led the Buckeyes with 12 points, Webb 10, Gavin Holt 5, Marqualon Tate 2, Johnson 2, Xavier Easley 6, Darius Parker 2, Hurashio Morgan 4, Jeremy McMillan 6, and Jordan Goodrich 1.