Boys Hoops - 2006
Early County vs. Thomasville
By Rod "Kut" Freeman
Jan 27, 2006, 10:59 EST

Bobcats Claw their way to Victory

Ladarius Hall opens it up every quarter but not enough.

Early County Gymnasium – Blakely, GA

Ladarius Hall would nail a three-pointer to begin every period except the fourth.

The game between the Early County Bobcats versus the Thomasville Bulldogs was one to remember on senior night. Since the girls did their thing with a victory. It would make no sense for the boys to not follow suit. Thomasville’s Ladarius Hall  would nail a three-pointer to begin every period except the fourth.

The Bobcats (known for it’s football), would step on the floor with 4 seniors leaders. Olijuawon Often would pace the way for the cats with a team high 21 points and Edward Smith would clean the boards with a game high 9 rebounds. The guy that made the big difference for the Bobcats was James Early of the bench with the instant offense.

The Thomasville Bulldogs would bring into the game this years “Diamond in the Ruff” in Ladarius Hall. Hall has unlimited long-range ability and can get above the rim. At 6’6 Ladarius would continue to blaze his game from inside outside and moves well without the ball. The defense displayed by Hall on the guy he was guarding was strictly lockdown. Mike Reddick would bang big on the inside with clutch baskets and rebounds for the Bulldogs, to become a factor.

KUT SAYS: The kid is no joke. The real deal. (Best of the best)

Game Summary:

In the first period, Hall would opening it up with 2 back-to-back three-pointer to get the Bobcats on their heels, leading to a 8-2 run.  Early would come off the bench and score 4 straight points for the Bobcats, followed by 2 points on the jumper by Often to close the first period out to the tie score at 14 each.

Second period would start identical to the first period with a three-pointer from Hall. Since everyone seem to be in the three point shooting mood.Trent Price  would hit a big three pointer to put the Bobcats up by 3 points to go into the half with the lead 34-31.

At halftime Dancing Bob would “Lean Wit it, Rock Wit it and Check his Foot Work”

Often would drive the ball the length of the floor and would get the close foul on Hall to send him to the line to win it.

 

Third period would start like the first and the second, with a three from you guess right, Ladarius. Early County 45 Thomasville 45

In the fourth is were it would get real good. Hall would two-hand power dunk to give the Bulldogs the lead 51-50 leading to a Bobcat timeout. After the timeout, Ladarius would score again on a lay and the Bulldogs push the lead to 3 points. The Bobcats would be down by 2 points and in the bonus with 5.6 seconds when Often would drive the ball the length of the floor and would get the close foul on Hall to send him to the line to win it with only 1.1 second left in the game.  Olijuawon would go to the free-throw line and rattle in the first free throw to tie it, while the crowd holds its breath. On the second free throw, it would be nothing but net to win it.

Final Score:  Early County 65 Thomasville 64

Scoring Recap

Early County