Just call Lanett a double-dipper. On Monday, the Lanett Girls advanced to the Area Championship game and on Tuesday, the Boys did the same.
The Lanett Girls defeated rival LaFayette in front of their home crowd with a 56-17 win. The win put an end to Thaddeus Tucker’s Lady Dawgs season. As for Charlie Williams Lady Panthers, his team advances to play Horseshoe Bend on Wednesday. A win on Wednesday, not only would give the Lanett an Arean Tournament Championship but would give them a home-court advantage in the upcoming sub-regionals.
“We tried to game plan for Lanett, but they just overpowered us. They played to their strengths and tonight was a great example of that” said Tucker.
Although he is disappointed with the season, Tucker is optimistic about his team’s future.
As for Williams Lady Panthers, he is excited about the next round with expectations of a deep State Playoff run.
“We are built for this and if we play our kind of game I know we will be in Birmingham, but we cannot take anything for granted. We take it one day at a time, play our game, and leave everything on the court”, said Williams.
Lanett will be playing a Horseshoe Bend team that they defeated earlier in the year.
” Our mentality is to survive and advance”, added Williams.
When asked if his team is in playoff mode? Williams responded with a confident yes.
Despite Lanett starters only playing one quarter due to a big lead, the Panthers received big production from role players such as Laila Lancaster, Tyra Jackson, Nikki Upshaw, and Nakeriona Heard
Williams would like his team to focus on layups and free throws going into Wednesday’s game.
“It’s the small things that can hurt you in tournament play. We just to clean that up and we will be fine” Williams said.
As for the boys, Lanett head coach Tay McCants’s team grinded out a 54-45 win over the Horseshoe Bend Generals led by a pressing defense, advancing to the Area Championship Game on Thursday against LaFayette.
In a defensive duel, the Panthers were able to create just enough pressure o escape
“I will always take an ugly win over a pretty loss and tonight was just one of those nights. We have things to work on ahead of Thursday. It comes down to Lanett and LaFayette. They beat us earlier in the year and we beat them later. It’s going to be a great game and we will be ready”, McCants’s.
Like the girls, Tuesday’s win was twofold. On one hand, the Panthers clinched a spot in the sub-regional round, and on the other, it gives the Panthers a shot at an Area Championship as well as beating their rival for it.
Lanett and LaFayette play Thursday for the Area chip.