Rachel Thomas didn’t have much time to think about it, but the one thought that did creep into the Heritage High School basketball player’s mind brought about a strong sense of deja vu.
Thomas’ 15-footer from the left baseline, shot with under a second to play, lifted the Lady Generals to a 40-38 comeback win at county rival Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe Friday night as part of the LFO Classic. It’s not the first time Thomas has broken LFO hearst. She did the same thing to the Lady Warriors a year ago at Heritage.
“We were just saying, ‘Throw it up, throw it up,’ and we got the ball into Rachel and she did,” winning coach Eddie Bryant said with a smile. “It’s practically the same shot she beat them with last year.”
Thomas, who finished with 10 points, admitted last year’s game-winner was on her mind after a jump ball was called with one second on the clock, with Heritage maintaining control under the LFO basket.
“We were just trying to get the shot off,” Thomas said, shaking her head. “We did it to them last year and I was thinking I’ve done it before, why not do it again?”