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The number one (LaFayette) and two (Lanett) ranked teams in the area faced off in a Friday night thriller. The Panthers hosted the Bulldogs for their second matchup this season, the first ending in a LaFayette win. It was Lanett that came out victorious this time, beating their rivals 45-39.

“We did a good job of finding their shooters and being sound on the defensive end. Last time we played them at home, they shot lights out and we just didn’t do a good job on our defensive side. But tonight we found the shooters and we communicated,” said Tre McCants, the Panther’s head coach. 

The home team seemed in control for most of the first half. The boys teams made it competitive, playing a physical game, befitting a rivalry.

Lanett took advantage of free throws in the first frame, outscoring LaFayette 13-8 in the quarter. Both teams traded threes, but it was Lanett’s rebounding that put them on top through the first quarter.

The Panther’s offense quieted in the second. LaFayette took advantage of this in the final minutes of the half. A late three-pointer by Jordan Johnson shifted the momentum in the Bulldog’s favor. Outscoring Lanett 11-6, the rivals went into the locker room tied at 19.

The third is when both teams seemed to light the gym up. Gritty defense pushed both teams to work from the outside. Lanett was able to break through a couple of times, while LaFayette’s shooters found the basket behind the arc. The energy was electric as the two LHS teams went into the final quarter tied 27-27.

As both sides willed their teams forward, the players once again traded shots. The pendulum kept swinging, as Lanett would shoot a three only for LaFayette to come down a second later to do the same.

The plays got frantic and sometimes sloppy. After a layup in translation, the Panthers calmed down and settled in. In the final minutes of the fourth, they were able to move the ball and pull away to hand the Bulldogs a loss.

Mitchell led Lanett with 11 points on the night. Zeigler and Jeremiah Mcgilberry had eight apiece. Shamar Patterson, who has sat out the last couple of games with an injury had seven. 

Jordan Johnson was the Bulldog’s and the game’s top scorer with 14 points. He sunk four three-pointers on Friday. Kemare Harrington had nine points and Cameron Thomas and Amillieon Hughley had six points each. 

With both teams so close on the table, this was a big win for Lanett. McCants said if LaFayette loses against Loachapoka next game, Lanett could take the number one spot. Regardless, Friday’s game was a bonafide classic.

“Whether we’re number one or number two in the area, I think my guys are ready to get this thing rolling,” McCants said. 

Lanett will host Reeltown on Tuesday, Jan. 21. LaFayette will travel to Loachapoka on Wednesday.