By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

There were plenty of fireworks between the LaGrange and Troup boys’ basketball teams.

The Grangers just had more of them in a 53-46 win over the rival Tigers.

In a second straight close game between the county rivals, Troup hung tough, but it was great free-throw shooting from the Grangers that made the difference.

LaGrange went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the last two minutes, denying the Tigers’ upset bid and giving the Grangers (18-7 overall, 9-3 Region 2-AAA) the No. 3 seed in next week’s region tournament.

“Those free throws were the difference,” Pauley said. “I thought both teams did what they needed to do to win it, but we were able to hit (the free throws). It was a super game.”

Trailing by six midway through the fourth quarter, Troup (8-14, 4-8) rallied to even the score at 40-40.

That’s when LaGrange junior Antoine Green hit a clutch 3-pointer with less than three minutes left, and the Grangers had the lead for good.

Troup didn’t give up.

Trailing by six with less than one minute left, Javarik Winston hit a long 3-pointer to cut the deficit in half.

The Tigers had to foul, and the Grangers converted their free throws to beat Troup for the second time this season.

Royal Thomas and Green led LaGrange with 10 points each, followed by Qua Hardy with nine and Martez Johnson with eight points.

The loss leaves Troup with a No. 6 seed in the region tournament and a matchup with No. 7 Columbus on Monday.

The Tigers defeated Columbus twice this season, and if they make it three in a row they would likely face LaGrange again in the second round.

“We hope to get a second chance (against LaGrange). It’s tough to lose like we did to them,” said Troup head coach Thermond Billingslea, whose team lost by four to LaGrange in the first matchup.

The Tigers dropped to 4-8 in region play with the loss, but still boast one of Region 2-AAA’s top defenses.

Williams led Troup with 18 points, followed by Winston with 14.

Shaw’s 77-75 win over Kendrick Friday night gave the Raiders the top seed and Northside the No. 2 seed.

LaGrange will face the winner between Troup and Columbus on Tuesday.