By: Brian Smith

What a game for LaFayette’s boys basketball team! The host Bulldogs came out hitting on all cylinders against Beauregard en route to a resounding 68-38 victory. To get the early lead, LaFayette’s defense was outstanding.

Utilizing a full-court press, LaFayette caused havoc from the outset. Trapping the basketball when possible, yet not being overly aggressive and getting out of position, the Bulldogs forced several first quarter turnovers that led to layups and wide-open shots.

It was a tremendously improved defensive effort compared to earlier this season. The same can be said for LaFayette’s overall offensive game: passing, spacing, shot selection, and putting the basketball in the bucket.

To open the scoring, Quintavious Lloyd drove the basketball to the hoop for two, and then the never-ending pressure began on defense which led to easy points. With 4:30 to play in the first quarter, LaFayette’s lead was already 11-3. By the end of the first quarter, there was no doubt this game was going to get out of hand. The Bulldogs led 20-11. 3-pointers were also falling.

The Bulldogs drilled eight shots from beyond the arc. That’s incredible considering how poorly they have shot from downtown for most of the early season. The first stanza saw Amilleon Huguley and Jordan Johnson connect on 3-pointers. The Bulldogs hit at least one from behind the arc in all four quarters. Defense leading to offense was still the theme of the night.

Jayden Thomason blocked a shot during the early moments of the second quarter that ignited a fast break. It was like LaFayette was playing on repeat. Disrupt Beauregard’s offensive rhythm and set up easy looks on the opposite end of the hardwood.

While Johnson has been LaFayette’s main scorer this season, the Bulldogs were a far more balanced team tonight. Three players were in double figures and another two scored eight points.

Perhaps the most improved player for LaFayette was Kemare Harrington. He led the Bulldogs with 13 points and made two shots from deep. Johnson finished with 12 and Lloyd 11. All the LaFayette players’ efforts helped the scoreboard to read 40 to 21 at halftime. The third quarter was more good news.

The Bulldogs kept the pressure on and stayed focused. When Harrington buried a 3-point shot from the left wing, the score went to 45-23 with 5:45 remaining in the quarter. After a few more steals and quality shot selection by LaFayette, Zae’lyn Todd connected on a 3-pointer to make the score 62-30. That’s when the running clock began. At the end of three quarters, LaFayette led 62 to 31.

The final period saw the bench empty but LaFayette still had a sound focus on team play and getting good looks at the basket. Even the defensive effort stayed at a high level despite the lopsided score. The LaFayette boys team should be proud of their efforts. They dominated by playing excellent basketball on both ends of the court.