Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Grangers are back like they never left. The LaGrange boys basketball team clinched a playoff berth with a thrilling 57-49 OT win over rival Troup in the region tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday to punch their ticket to the state playoffs a season after missing out on the playoffs altogether.

Tuesday’s contest was everything people have come to expect from LaGrange vs. Troup over the years as it proved to be a true four-quarter war, coming down to the wire. 

The Tigers would open the overtime period with a couple of free throws from DeJaylen Campbell, but Avion Davis quickly connected on a 3-pointer to give LaGrange its first lead of overtime. The Grangers would control the rest of the game with Troup never tying or retaking the lead again.

The first quarter was all about a run from each team. LaGrange would take an initial 4-2 lead before Troup would go on a 9-0 run. The Grangers would go on to close the first quarter on a 5-0 run to cut the Troup lead to just two points heading to the second quarter.

Neither team gave an inch in the second quarter and the Tigers were just able to keep their lead heading to half. Troup went into the break with a 24-20 advantage.

The Grangers would eventually take their first lead since the opening minutes of the first quarter when Jalen Fryer hit a 3-pointer to put LaGrange ahead 30-28 midway through the third quarter.

The two teams would trade blows in the third quarter as Troup took a 39-36 lead into the fourth quarter.

LaGrange would go on a 6-2 run to start the fourth, retaking the lead with just under six minutes to go in the game. 

The Grangers would not surrender the lead until 1:15 left in the game when Gavin Gates hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 44, which is where the score would stay until the overtime period. 

BJ Wortham was sensational all night for the Grangers, finishing with 20 points. Javon Nelson also had a quality offensive showing for the home team, finishing with 13 points.

Troup’s offense was led by Campbell and Dee Moreland, who finished with 10 points apiece. 

LaGrange improved to 17-7 and will be heading back to the playoffs after missing out last season. The Grangers will continue their hunt for a region title first, traveling to Sandy Creek on Thursday to take on the no. 1 seeded Patriots. LaGrange suffered a 21-point and 1-point loss to Sandy Creek during the regular season. 

Troup sits at 16-8 after Tuesday’s loss. The Tigers will have to wait and see if they receive an at-large bid to the 3A state playoffs.