Staff photo by Robin Rudd / LaFayette senior Aidan Hadaway pulls down an offensive rebound during the Ramblers’ 82-69 win at Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe on Jan. 11. Hadaway had 43 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks that night, and now the GHSA Region 6-AAA rivals are about to meet again to close the regular season.The final Friday night of the regular season for GHSA basketball brings with it several intriguing storylines, including a rematch of two of the top boys’ teams in northwest Georgia.
LaFayette can put the wraps on a perfect regular season, but the Ramblers (22-0, 15-0 Region 6-AAA) will have to defeat Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (21-1, 14-1) for the second time to complete that feat. The top seed for the region tournament is also on the line because an LFO win would force a coin flip to determine who will be No. 1 in the 6-AAA bracket – and this year, the top seed’s school will also be the host site for the region tournament.
The raised stakes have certainly caught LaFayette senior Aidan Hadaway’s attention, which could prove to be bad news for the Warriors – again. The reigning Times Free Press Best of Preps player of the year in boys’ basketball, Hadaway torched the Warriors for 43 points with 18 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Ramblers won the marquee first game between the teams 82-69 a month ago at LFO.
Such performances by the 6-foot-8, 195-pound Hadaway have become commonplace this season as the Ohio University signee has averaged 29.3 points, 13.2 rebounds, two steals and nearly two blocks per game. LaFayette coach Hank Peppers admitted he has become spoiled over the past four years.
“Aidan has progressed each season, and at this point he helps us in so many ways,” Peppers said. “He competes every game, and it’s that competition that drives him.