Unbeaten Cougars are final-four bound

Published 12:00 am Saturday, February 13, 2016

Lafayette Christian rolls to state win

By Kevin Eckleberry

keckleberry@civitasmedia.com

Lafayette Christian School’s players turn up the defensive pressure during the fourth quarter of Friday’ state-tournament win over Eastgate Life Academy. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/02/web1_cougars3-1.jpgLafayette Christian School’s players turn up the defensive pressure during the fourth quarter of Friday’ state-tournament win over Eastgate Life Academy. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

Lafayette Christian School’s Jemi Reed scored 34 points during Friday’s state-tournament win. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/02/web1_cougar1.jpgLafayette Christian School’s Jemi Reed scored 34 points during Friday’s state-tournament win. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

LAGRANGE – Another state-tournament game, and another blowout victory.

After winning their state opener by nearly 60 points earlier in the week, the Lafayette Christian School Cougars were back home on Friday for a second-round game against Eastgate Life Academy.

While the game was a bit more competitive than the 96-39 first-round win over Peachtree Academy , there was never much doubt about the outcome, with the Cougars easing their way to an 82-34 victory.

The Cougars are now just two wins away from a Georgia Independent Christian Athletic Association state title.

The Cougars will play a final-four game on Friday at Gordon State College, and if they win, they’ll play for a state title the following day.

The Cougars improved to 21-0 with Friday’s one-sided win, and they’ve only been pushed in a few of their games this season.

Against Eastside, Lafayette Christian surged to a 25-13 lead after the first quarter, and the lead was 53-19 at the half.

Eastside managed to find some offensive success in the first quarter, but it only had six points in the second quarter when Lafayette Christian turned up its pressure defense.

Senior guard Jemi Reed, who led all scorers with 34 points, made five 3-pointers in the first half and scored 18 points.

Lafayette Christian head coach Jarred Pike said the goal was to put the game away early.

“That’s pretty much every game,” Pike said. “We’ve got guys that can play. That’s what I tell them, don’t mess around, don’t get in foul trouble. Don’t give them any life, to start to think it’s a ballgame.”

Senior post player Marcus Mobley added 17 points for the Cougars, and senior Antaveis Sands scored 10 points.

Nine different Lafayette Christian players scored at least four points.

Reed, in addition to his 34-point outburst, also had 10 rebounds, 10 assists and six steals, giving him a triple-double.

Mobley pulled down eight rebounds, and Sands had seven assists and four steals.

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