LHS Boys Advance to Title Game

SWAT Team in Action

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – If they don’t score, they can’t win.

Just ask Luverne junior Donta’ Hall.

The 6-foot-8 Hall blocked a Final 48 record 11 shots and altered at least a dozen more, leading the No. 1-ranked Tigers to a 58-43 victory over No. 2-ranked Lanett (22-4) in the Class 2A state semifinals at BJCC Arena.

Hall credited
with 11 blocks.

“It gives us a lot of energy when he’s up there blocking those shots,” Luverne guard TraQuez Watkins said. “We’re ready to attack after he’s blocking shots.”

Once Hall became a one-man swat team in the first quarter, Lanett players became tentative or acutely aware of Hall’s position on every drive to the hoop. The result? Lanett shot just 29 percent and did not attempt a free throw.

Preston Sankey shoots
over 6'8" Lannet Player

On the rare occasion that Lanett got in position to exploit Luverne’s defense, Hall erased nearly every defensive breakdown.

How many shots did Hall block? He complained to teammates after the game that his right hand felt sore.

“I hurt my hand on one of ’em,” he told his teammates. “I’ve got a blister.”

DeAnthony Rutledge and Quindarius Thagard led Luverne (25-2) with 13 points apiece, and Preston Sankey added 10. Hall contributed eight points, 12 rebounds and 11 blocks. No Lanett player reached double figures, but Justin Jones had nine points.

Luverne moves into Friday’s championship game against No. 6 Elba, a 61-52 winner over defending 2A champ Tanner in the other semifinal. Tip-off for the championship game is set for Friday at 3 p.m.

Que Thagard-
Whatever it Takes

Neither Luverne nor Elba has ever been to the championship round, so the winner will capture its first state basketball championship. Luverne has also beaten Elba twice this season – the only team to defeat Elba (26-2), with both games in the championship round of a holiday tournament.

“The stakes are a little higher,” Luverne coach Richard Dorsey sad. “They’re trying to make history on their side, and we’re trying to make our own history.”

To view pics of the game, click on al.com article.

To read an additional article, click Montgomery Advertiser.

To see the post game interview, click You Tube Post Game.