RINGGOLD, Ga. — If there were two stats that likely would spell out the outcome of the LaFayette-Heritage boys’ basketball game Tuesday night, it would be Generals turnovers and Ramblers fastbreak points. In Heritage’s 75-61 win, though, it ended up being the other way around.
Heritage (13-5, 3-2 in 7-AAA B) used a 15-0 run to close the game, including eight consecutive points off fastbreaks, to earn the key subregion victory. It was in stark contrast to the teams’ earlier meeting in which the cat-quick Ramblers caused 29 turnovers and won by a point.
“LaFayette is really quick, and in that first game we didn’t take care of the ball,” Heritage coach Kevin Terry said. “We left that first game thinking we gave it away. We have a size advantage, so if we can cut down on the turnovers and rebound better, we have a good chance.”
The Generals did just that in the second half Tuesday, commiting only eight turnovers and flexing their muscle inside. Led by posts Riley Sparks and Justin Adekoya, Heritage held a 19-13 second-half rebound advantage.
Five of the Heritage rebounds were crucial in the game-ending surge.
Ahead 62-61 after Jake Raines’ drive with 3:05 remaining, Cody Sherlin took a long rebound and fed a slanting Hunter Cornelius for a layup. Seconds later, following another quick Ramblers shot, Sparks snagged the rebound and fired a bullet to Raines, who drove for an easy layup and a 66-61 lead.
The killing blow came with 1:50 remaining when Sparks fed Adekoya with a behind-the-back pass, resulting in a three-point play, an eight-point lead and eruption from the lively Heritage student section.
“It all started inside and we kept getting bucket after bucket off long rebounds and fastbreaks, and when Jake Raines made that behind-the-back pass, it was all over,” said senior guard Cornelius, who with 15 points was one of four Generals scoring in double figures. “They’re a very quick team, but we knew if we could be patient we could beat their quickness and get good shots.”
Sparks led Heritage with 17 points, followed by Raines with 16. Adekoya added 10.
Junior guard Devarus Porter scored a game-high 21 for the Ramblers (14-4, 3-2).
“This subregion is crazy and it’s going to be that way every night,” Terry said. “Ever who has a little more energy and hits some shots will come out on top. It’s tight and we still have to play everyone except LaFayette again — and Ridgeland twice.”
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.