LAMP’s Gabe Brake goes for two of his 30 points in the Tigers’ win on Saturday. LAMP earned its first-ever trip to the state finals with the victory over LaFayette. (Photo by Dennis Victory)

By Graham Dunn
RRS Editor

Would it be safe to say that the LAMP Golden Tigers are saving the best basketball for last?

Coach Anthony Norris thinks so.

The Tigers played an almost flawless first half and cruised through the second on the way to an easy 83-61 victory over LaFayette in the finals of the Class 3A Central region on Saturday at the Alabama State Acadome.

LAMP will face Madison Academy on Wednesday afternoon at 5:30 at the BJCC Arena in Birmingham.

"Totally awestruck," Norris said when asked to describe his team’s performance. "We knew they were good enough to go to Birmingham and they proved that. They are legitimate contenders."

Alec Pitts (28 points) and Gabe Brake (30 points) combined for 58 points and LAMP as a team shot 67 percent from the field (33-49) and limited the Bulldogs to 38 percent shooting. Brake provided the early spark with two shot blocks inside.

"Yeah, I think it fired everybody up," he said. "We have a great student section and when we made some plays early you could feel the intensity level rise."

LAMP scored 48 points in the first half and ran out to as much as a 22-point lead. The Tigers shot 69 percent in the first half, led by Brake who missed just one of his nine shots.

"He was able to find a seam inside all night," said Pitts, who was named tournament MVP. "Coach pointed out that they outhustled Sumter County. They were a scrappy team so we had to come out and play hard and take the wind out of their sails. We couldn’t give them second chance opportunities."

Pitts worked his game both inside and outside. He was a perfect 3-or-3 outside the 3-point arc and he was 7-of-8 at the free throw line. When given the chance, he drove to the basket either to score or to find an open teammate.

"He made some big plays but he has done that all year," Norris said. "I know other teams have tried everything to stop him but he keeps making plays."

The Tigers are in the process of breaking all the records in basketball, making their first trip in school history to the state finals. Saturday’s win gave the school its first regional title in basketball to go along with the area regular and tournament titles.

"This team was willing to work hard," Norris said. "I worked these guys a lot harder than I would have wanted to work. This is a great group of athletes. I can’t tell you how rigorous the workouts have been. i guess if I had to say it, they have impressed me."

Brake and PItts were named to the all-tournament team along with Jay Taylor.