Bulldogs advance with gutsy OT win
Throughout a Dunn-Oliver Acadome packed with fans wearing black and gold, the weight of history hung in the air.
Across a storied, decades-long hardwood rivalry, it was just the second time LaFayette High School and Lanett High School met with a boys’ basketball regional title and final four spot on the line.
The moment matched the hype as the No. 8 Bulldogs (26-7) allowed just six combined fourth quarter and overtime points to beat the Panthers (12-14) 45-38 on Feb. 23 in the boys’ 2A central region championship game.
LaFayette last made the state tournament in 2024, where they lost 56-51 to Highland Home High School in the semifinals. It is the 11th time the Bulldogs have made the state semifinals and the first time they have beaten Lanett four times in the same season.
After what he described as “one of the most nerve-wracking games” of his 17-year coaching career, LaFayette boys’ head coach Chase Lewis praised Lanett’s blue-collar mentality and recognized what lies ahead.
“We know each other very well. The kids know each other personally, so going into a fourth contest with them, it was going to be a dog fight, and that's what it was. It took an extra period to get out of that alive. This was expected, [and] we prepared for this moment,” Lewis said. “We want to go to Birmingham, but we also want to complete the task.”
In the regional semifinal against Central Coosa County High School, junior forward Jayden Thomason was the “man of the hour” according to Lewis.
The regional tournament’s most valuable player was even more important versus the Panthers, keeping LaFayette afloat during difficult stretches with his second-chance scoring ability.
“We went two years ago and lost, so we wanted to get back to the championship and just win this thing,” Thomason said. “A lot of us have been there before, and we’re just trying to get the rest of these other guys out there and to experience Birmingham.”
Lanett boys’ head coach Trentavious McCants identified a late disadvantage in rebounding as the main reason why his team faded down the stretch.
He then singled out junior guard Michael McCants for his growth as a player and leader on a team otherwise led by a special senior group.
“People have counted these guys out since they were babies. They exceeded expectations in football, and most definitely did in basketball,” McCants said. “This senior group made us the standard again, so it's something for my juniors and sophomores to build off. I’ve got a young crew coming back, and they'll be valuable next year. We’re ready to get back to work.”
The Bulldogs started hot after Amilleon Huguley and Kemare Harrington set the tone with three-pointers before Thomason and Ty’quavious Gates showed off impressive moves in the paint. While Lanett’s obvious effort to attack the rim initially paid off, their late struggles finishing at the rim allowed LaFayette to take a 16-9 lead after the first quarter.
The Panthers were then much more competitive to start the second quarter before the Bulldogs slowed the tempo down offensively to find better looks. That strategy paid off as LaFayette held Lanett scoreless for seven minutes until Lanett’s Eddie Mitchell and Lorenzo Truitt hit baskets to cut the deficit right before halftime.
With the Bulldogs up 23-17 after the break, the Panthers fought their way to a one-point lead within three minutes behind two Fred Broughton threes and Jeramiah McGillberry’s dirty work on the defensive glass. Sensing their season in the balance, LaFayette responded with a desperate effort that temporarily stopped the bleeding before the third quarter ended with Lanett up 32-29.
A tense atmosphere added to the sense of urgency for both teams, which fought tooth and nail to a 36-36 draw with 2:51 left to play. Despite a game-changing effort from LaFayette’s Cameron Thomas, Lanett kept up the pressure until an unsuccessful last-second three-pointer by the Panthers ensured the game went to overtime.
In overtime, Thomas again starred with two steals and a layup within the first 45 seconds, giving the Bulldogs an early advantage. Thomason then provided breathing room with a dunk before Huguley, Harrington and Ty’kaden Williams secured the victory with free throws.
Thomason finished as the game’s leading scorer with 13 points for the Bulldogs, while Cameron Thomas contributed nine points. Broughton and Mitchell tied to lead the Panthers with 10 points apiece.
LaFayette will face No. 3 Red Bay High School (26-5) in the boys’ 2A state tournament semifinals after the Tigers defeated No. 6 Cold Springs High School (30-5) 64-52 in the northwest region championship on Feb. 23.
That game will take place on Monday, March 2 at 4:30 p.m. at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, which is located at 1001 N. 19th St.
LaFayette and RBHS share no common regular-season opponents.
On average, the Bulldogs score 59.2 points per game and allow 44.4 points per game, while the Tigers score 65.8 points per game and allow 52.4 points per game.
LaFayette and RBHS enter the state tournament on 14-game and 15-game winning streaks, respectively.
