LaFayette thwarts visitors' strategy in rousing first-round playoff win

LaFayette's student section prepares for the start of Saturday night's GHSA Class AAAA boys' playoff game. The Ramblers used a hot start to get past LaGrange, 75-58.
LaFayette's student section prepares for the start of Saturday night's GHSA Class AAAA boys' playoff game. The Ramblers used a hot start to get past LaGrange, 75-58.

LaFAYETTE, Ga. - The strategy was nothing new to Alex Kelehear, and in a way it played right into the hands of the LaFayette Ramblers.

Visiting LaGrange, as most opponents do, elected to shadow LaFayette's high-scoring guard all over the court Saturday during the opening-round game in the GHSA Class AAAA playoffs. In one sense it worked as Kelehear, averaging 20 points per game, was scoreless in the first quarter.

However, post Dee Southern scored eight quick points and the Grangers abandoned their plan in the second quarter, allowing Kelehear to go off. He scored 12 of his 17 points in the period as the Ramblers built a big lead and rolled to a 75-58 win.

LaFayette (24-2) will host Jefferson in the second round next week, becoming the first basketball team in school history to host consecutive playoff games.

"When people try to slow me down, it's OK because we have too many weapons," Kelehear said. "They tried it the first quarter and they didn't get it done, so when they went back to a basic man (-to-man defense) in the second I knew I could beat them one on one."

Southern, who finished with a team-high 23 points and nine rebounds, hit a pair of 3-pointers in the first three minutes as LaFayette took a 17-13 lead after one. Kelehear then took over, hitting a short jumper and following it up moments later with a four-point play after being fouled on a 3-point make.

He added back-to-back spinning drives as the lead grew to 10 before the active Southern scored six consecutive points and Rylan Russell hit one of his three 3s as LaFayette took a resounding 20-point lead into halftime.

"They are a tough team," LaFayette coach Hank Peppers said. "I'm just proud of the effort and everything that went into it.

"They were trying to make somebody else beat them, but honestly we are used to that. We just have so many guys who can shoot it and make plays. Alex is so smart. He knows when to pick his spots, and he does that well. We had great contributions from everybody."

When Kelehear and Southern weren't draining baskets, the aggressive Jon Morgan (11 points, eight rebounds) was driving hard in the lane to set up teammates. Still, the Grangers (18-11) stayed within shouting distance, getting within 14 before a Southern steal and layup and a Morgan three-point play pushed the lead back up to 19 late in the third.

LaGrange was led by Vondez Taylor with 12 points, followed by Jordan Ogletree with 11 and Jay Benton with 10.

-Also in Class AAAA, the Heritage boys lost at Cartersville, 73-35, and Ridgeland lost at Sandy Creek, 101-43.

-In Class AAA, the surprise Region 6 champion Calhoun Yellow Jackets had a cold-shooting night in a 45-41 loss to Redan, part of a sweep by Region 5. Regular-season champion Sonoraville lost at Pace Academy, 62-43, and Ringgold fell at Cedar Grove, 60-40.

-In Class AA, Region 7 champion Chattooga was upset at home by Monticello, 49-44, despite 16 points from Jamarious Mosteller.

-In girls' action Saturday, Elbert County ended Gordon Central's initial playoff run, 36-29, in Class AA.

-In Class A, Trion rallied for a 79-69 overtime win over Marion County in the public school first round. Jarret Gill led the Bulldogs (17-11) with 23 points, including 14 in a wild fourth quarter in which Trion overcame a nine-point deficit. Jayce Harris scored 10 of his 19 points in overtime. Trion will face top-seeded Calhoun County in next week's Sweet 16.

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22;

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