By Marla Jones, Sports Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
Lanett 72, Section 59
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—The No. 4 ranked Section Lions were defeated by No. 1 Lanett Panthers 72-59 in the Class 2A State Tournament Semifinals at the BJCC Legacy Arena Monday night.
The Section Lions made their ninth appearance at the state playoffs and the first since 2006.
Lanett jumped to the early lead in the first with a 3-pointer by Jalen Madden. Section answered back with a 3-pointer of their own by Dylan Davis. This set the tone for the remainder of the first with back-and-forth scoring between the two teams. Section led by as many as five in the first and took the 15-13 lead going into the second.
During the second quarter, the lead changed four times and the score was tied four times. Lanett had a 13-2 run in the second. At halftime, the Panthers led the Lions, 31-24.
The Section Lions came back from the half with new zeal. They outscored Lanett 10-0 in the first two minutes of the quarter and gained the 34-31 lead. The lead changed three more times before Lanett jumped into the 60-48 lead with 4:48 remaining in the game. Lanett lead by as much as 14 points in the fourth but the Lions refused to surrender and cut their lead to 5 with 2:21 remaining. Lanett forced three turnovers. The turnovers by the Lions led to easy baskets for Lanett and sealed their victory with a final score of 72-59.
The Section Lions ended their season with a 26-6 record. Senior Caleb Haynes led the Section Lions in the semi-final game with 24 points. He went 9-of-12 shooting, had six rebounds and two steals. Sophomore Dylan Davis scored in the double digits for the Lions as well with 18. He hit 6-of-8 3-pointers. “I know it hurts our guys. They’re tore up. I am too,” said Section head coach Jamie Pruett. “But I can’t be prouder of my guys. They fought the whole game.” When talking about the eight seniors, Pruett had this to say, “A lot of good players to replace also a lot of good people to replace.”
Anquaevious Pollard led the Lanett Panthers (28-6) with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Emanuel Little scored a double-double also with 10 points and 16 rebounds. Lanett Head Coach Richard Carter stated, “I need to say this about Section, they played an extremely hard-fought game.” Carter said, “(Caleb) Haynes was a man down there. He gave us fits.” Carter will coach his first state final game of his 45-year career, Friday morning against Saint Luke’s Episcopal.
