Warriors looking for success on the road

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 19, 2016

By Kevin Eckleberry

keckleberry@civitasmedia.com

Laney Anderson scored 15 points in Friday’s loss to Bethlehem Christian. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/01/web1_LGA-anderson2.jpgLaney Anderson scored 15 points in Friday’s loss to Bethlehem Christian. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

Lincoln Anderson scored 26 points to help LaGrange Academy stay in last week’s game against Bethlehem Christian. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/01/web1_LGA-anderson.jpgLincoln Anderson scored 26 points to help LaGrange Academy stay in last week’s game against Bethlehem Christian. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

LAGRANGE – The LaGrange Academy Warriors, after a GISA Region 1-AA home loss to Bethlehem Christian on Friday, will look to get things headed back in the right direction with a road win over Oak Mountain today.

Against Bethlehem Christian (formerly Dawson Street Christian School), LaGrange Academy had to play the majority of the game without its standout senior post player, Whit Moreman, who left in the second quarter with an ankle injury.

Even without Moreman, LaGrange Academy hung tough the whole way and lost 60-54.

Lincoln Anderson, a junior post player, helped fill the scoring void by putting up 26 points, and he had 18 points in the second half.

“He had a great second half, and kept attacking,” LaGrange Academy coach Britt Gaylor said of Anderson.

Gaylor said Moreman’s absence was particularly felt on the boards.

“Turnovers hurt us, and we gave up a lot of offensive rebounds,” Gaylor said. “And that’s where not having Whit hurt us. We’re used to him doing that stuff, and not having him hurt.”

Will Trotter made a pair of 3-pointers and scored 12 points, and Moreman was on track for a big night with eight points before his injury.

In Friday’s girls game, LaGrange Academy kept it close the entire game before losing to Bethlehem Christian 40-37.

Laney Anderson had 15 points and eight rebounds in that game, and Leah Major scored 12 points and pulled down 15 rebounds.

“We competed,” LaGrange Academy coach Mike Petite said. “We knocked down some shots.”

Petite pointed to a lack of success at the free-throw line as the key reason for the loss.

The Lady Warriors were 10-of-23 from the line in the game.

“In a three-point game, that’s big,” Petite said. “If we go 50 percent or better, we probably win the game.”

LaGrange Academy’s teams finish the week with two home games.

After hosting Griffin Christian on Thursday, LaGrange Academy takes on rival Flint River on Friday.

Reach Kevin Eckleberry at (706) 884-7311 or on Twitter @lagrangesports