Bartow coach Terrence McGriff (top, blue shirt), watches his former player Walter Clayton Jr. play for the Gators against East Carolina on Thursday night at the RP Funding Center. At bottom left is East Carolina athletic director Jon Gilbert who is a 1986 Lake Gibson grad. He played football for Tom Atwell and Tom Ray at Lake Gibson. Seated next to him is former coach and school administrator Ernest Joe, who was Gilbert’s position coach at Lake Gibson. Gilbert later coached under Joe at Kathleen briefly in the early ’90s.

Florida forward Tyrese Samuel goes up for a shot against East Carolina on Thursday night at the RP Funding Center.

Florida’s Riley Kugel goes up for a layup against East Carolina on Thursday night at the RP Funding Center.

Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. looks to pass as he’s guarded by East Carolina’s Bobby Pettiford on Thursday night at the RP Funding Center. Clayton, a Bartow grad, is the Gators’ leading scorer in his first year with the team after playing for Iona the last two seasons.

Florida’s Zyon Pullin dribbles past an East Carolina’s Brandon Johnson on Thursday night at the RP Funding Center.

Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. talks to assistant coach Taurean Green prior to the second half against East Carolina on Thursday night at the RP Funding Center. Clayton, a Bartow grad, is the Gators’ leading scorer in his first year with the team after playing for Iona the last two seasons.

Florida’s Zyon Pullin prepares to inbound the ball on Thursday night at the RP Funding Center.

Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. drives to the basket against East Carolina on Thursday night at the RP Funding Center. Clayton, a Bartow grad, is the Gators’ leading scorer in his first year with the team after playing for Iona the last two seasons.

Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. dribbles past an East Carolina defender on Thursday night at the RP Funding Center. Clayton, a Bartow grad, is the Gators’ leading scorer in his first year with the team after playing for Iona the last two seasons.