Skip to main content
Friday, October 30, 2026Oct 30
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

This story is free to read.

LaFayette Ramblers win 53-51, earn program’s first third-round appearance

LaFayette boys' basketball coach Hank Peppers, center, instructs his team during a late timeout during the Ramblers' 53-51 victory over Jefferson in a Class 4A second round state-tournament game.
LaFayette boys' basketball coach Hank Peppers, center, instructs his team during a late timeout during the Ramblers' 53-51 victory over Jefferson in a Class 4A second round state-tournament game. LaFayette boys' basketball coach Hank Peppers, center, instructs his team during a late timeout during the Ramblers' 53-51 victory over Jefferson in a Class 4A second round state-tournament game.

By Kelley Smiddie 3 min read

LaFAYETTE, Ga. – Amid raucous surroundings Thursday inside his team’s gymnasium, LaFayette boys’ basketball coach Hank Peppers said he kept preaching the same message to his players during each timeout down the stretch in his team’s second-round game in the GHSA state tournament.

“I kept telling them, ‘Stay as calm as possible. That will help the situation,'” Peppers said. “It paid off.”

It paid off in a 53-51 Ramblers victory over Jefferson.

photo LaFayette Ramblers celebrate winning their home game in the second round of the GHSA state basketball playoffs.

This is the first time LaFayette (25-2) has hosted two playoff games in one basketball season – and the first time a Ramblers team has advanced to the state tournament’s third round. It could get a third home playoff game, depending on the outcome of a coin flip with Upson-Lee, which will be the opponent in the next round.

When asked if he had any nervousness about venturing further in the playoffs than any previous LaFayette boys’ basketball team, guard Alex Kelehear said: “Not right now. I’m sure that will set in before the next game.”