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The LaGrange Academy boys basketball team is back. After years in the wilderness, the Warriors are on a quest to win their first region championship in over a decade and it starts on Tuesday at 6 p.m., when Flint River comes to town for the region tournament semifinals.

“It’s been a long time since the guys have had a chance to play for something like this,” said Britt Gaylor, LaGrange Academy’s head coach.

LaGrange Academy and Flint River have been in two terrific battles this season. The Warriors won the first encounter at home 62-55 but fell 43-40 to Flint River on the road. Tuesday’s contest should be another four-quarter war.

“We’ve had two very close games with them this year. We won at home. They won at their place. So we’re expecting a very close game tomorrow night, and they’re super physical, and so that’s kind of what we’re preparing for tomorrow, we’re gonna have to match that physicality,” Gaylor said.

The Warriors have been led by the dominant duo of Alex Jarvholm and Kayde Bradfield. The two are some of the best players in GIAA.

Jarvholm finished with 29 points and Bradfield had 20 when the Warriors topped Flint River back in early January.

In LaGrange Academy’s loss against Flint River, the Wildcats were able to contain Jarvholm to just eight points. Bradfield ended that game with 23 points, but the Warriors will likely need both of their stars to perform on Tuesday if they want to advance in the region tournament.

Lately, LaGrange Academy has seen the emergence of Andrew Knight and Owen Sells. These two have been key in taking some of the load off the shoulders of Bradfield and Javrholm.

“They’ve grown all year,” Gaylor said. “Andrew hit some huge shots for us and became a consistent shooter, and he’s taking care of the ball, which has been a growth point for him. And Owen has done basically. He just does everything we ask. He guards another team’s best player a lot of nights. He has to bang inside and rebound, and he does a lot of things that don’t show up in the stats.”

Although a state playoff game is all but ensured, the Warriors still have a lot to play for. If LaGrange Academy goes on to win the region championship the team will likely get a bye in the first round before hosting in the second. A loss to Flint River could see the Warriors play at home in the first round or even have to travel round one. 

“So basically, this week is going to determine whether or not we either get a buy in the first round next week or if we host next week in the first round of the state tournament. So if we can win tomorrow and win on Friday, then we have a pretty good chance to get a buy if, if we were to lose one of those games, we might drop to five or six and have to play in the first round game,” Gaylor said.

Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s game, Flint River will serve as the host site for the region championship game to be held on Friday. The winner of the Warriors vs Wildcats game will make a matchup with either St. George’s or Oak Mtn. in the region championship game.