Lafayette girls’ hoopsters make history in Dalton

For what is believed to the first time in the history of the program, the Lafayette Lady Ramblers will tip it up in the state playoffs.

Lafayette’s historic state tournament debut will be on the road this weekend after the Orange-and-black secured a spot in the Class AAAA state playoffs at the Region 6 tournament last week at Southeast Whitfield High School.

“I’ve never had this opportunity before as a coach,” said Lafayette head coach Holly Rhudy. “Back when I was a player, we went to state once in softball, but there’s just something about it when it’s the program that you played for and then you come back to coach it. We literally had to work from the ground up and I couldn’t be more proud of this team.”

Lafayette girls 59, Heritage 25

After a slow start, the fourth-seeded Lady Ramblers found its game and rolled to a win over the fifthseeded Lady Generals last Monday. Lafayette trailed 7-0 and 9-5 in the opening quarter, but outscored Heritage 47-11 over the next two periods to put the game away.

Latyah Barber went for 17 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Heather Tucker finished the game with three 3-pointers and 11 total points, while Marquila Howell turned in a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Imani Cook and Mykeria Johnson had eight points apiece, while Cook pulled down eight boards. Nicky Yancy finished with four points and four steals. Haven Yancy chipped in with one point and Savanna Hall helped out on the boards with seven.

Gilmer girls 53, Lafayette 30

The Lady Ramblers (15-10) ran up against top-seeded Gilmer on Friday evening and trailed by just five points, 17-12, at halftime.

However, Lafayette endured a cold-shooting second half to match a coldshooting first half and the Lady Bobcats pulled away over the final two periods to advance to the finals.

Barber had 14 points, six rebounds and two steals. Johnson had nine points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Nicky Yancy had four points, a rebound and a steal, while Howell picked up two points, eight rebounds and a block.

Barber and Johnson were also named to the All-region first team.

Lafayette had been slated to face third-seeded Pickens

in the girls’ third-place game at 4 p.m. on Monday of this week at Southeast Whitfield.

Scott Herpst Lafayette’s Imani Cook and Heritage’s Lauren Mock try and chase down a loose ball during their Region 6-AAAA openinground game tournament at Southeast Whitfield High School last Monday. The Lady Ramblers took the win and qualified for the state tournament for what is believed to be the first time school history.