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LaFayette’s boys basketball team honored Five Points in the perfect way on Tuesday as the Bulldogs came from behind and took a thrilling 53-50 win over Troup County. 

The plays of the night came from Vaderrian Story, Branaviyun Story and Deaundre Vines. Vines hit a floater that put LaFayette in a one-point lead with less than 30 seconds left in the game. Branaviyun Story took charge with five seconds left, keeping the Tigers from taking the lead. Vaderrian Story then hit two free throws to ice the game with seconds left. 

“We got three or four seniors, they persevere a lot of physical play,” LaFayette assistant coach Anthony Kyles said. “We came in here with a mindset that we knew we had to be more physical. For my guys to get a win in a place where we’ve been lacking, and that’s physicality, that was awesome for us.” 

The last time LaFayette faced Troup, the Tigers won in dominant fashion. Tonight, several changes to the Bulldogs’ mentality helped them to overcome a tough opponent.” 

“Georgia has a shot clock, so we weren’t used to the shot clock,” Kyles said. “It was the most physical team we had met at that particular time. We went on to meet Valley who was more physical than they were. After we saw it, we knew what we had to endure and what we had to do.” 

Vaderrian led the Bulldogs with 16 points, five rebounds and three steals. Vines followed behind Story with 14 points, five rebounds and one steal. Branaviyun Story finished with eight points and 22 rebounds. 

LaFayette got more output from several role players. Freshman Jayden Thomason finished with eight points, 10 rebounds and one block. 

Just as important as the win was what LaFayette did to honor a local community. The Bulldogs wore Pointers jerseys to honor Five Points High School. Five Points was a part of the early consolidation in Chambers County when the school combined to become LaFayette High School.
With more consolidation looming in the next few years, the coaching staff felt it was only right to honor Five Points on Tuesday. Coach Kyles was apart of the original consolidation, and he helped LaFayette coach Chase Lewis come up with a way to honor the school. 

“It’s a great honor,” Kyles said. “With this consolidation that’s gonna happen in a few years, I was a part of the first phase of it. I did 11 years at 11 Points, and I did my senior at LaFayette. It’s a big deal to us. It fills my heart, and it brings back so many memories just to see it. For us to also get the victory on top of it, it’s an awesome feeling.” 

The win was needed for LaFayette after a tough stretch. The Bulldogs now sit at 2-2 and host Trinity on Thursday.