SOUTHEAST 6A FINAL: Lanier can't hold late lead in loss to Eufaula

Action from the Class 6A Southeast Regional final at Garrett Coliseum where Eufaula defeated Sidney Lanier in overtime. (By Tim Gayle)

By GRAHAM DUNN

The Sidney Lanier Poets were in position to earn a trip to Birmingham and the AHSAA State Finals with what seemed to be a comfortable six-point lead with just over two minutes remaining in the game.

But coach Brian Williams wasn’t ordering championship tickets just yet.

He was well aware of Eufaula’s ability to score behind the 3-point arc. He also knew his team has had season-long struggles with stopping up-tempo fast break scoring.

His fears proved to be on target. Lanier was unable to hold the lead and Eufaula forced overtime and then won going away, 86-79 in the extra period to earn the Class 6A Southeast Regional title on Tuesday.

The Tigers will travel to Birmingham for the second time in three years and will face Huffman next week.

“We’ve struggled with teams in transition and push the ball all season,” Williams said. “We’ve got to learn to play hard for about 32 minutes. Today we played about 16.”

The Poets struggled offensively from the start, falling behind by 12 in the first quarter. By the end of the first half they had pulled with six but Williams was concerned about the demeanor of his team.

“We came out tense even though this is the third year in a row to be in this thing, I could see that look,” Williams said. “I tried to keep them loose.

“I can’t lock them away in a hotel room before the game or keep them away from social media. There are plenty of things that can keep their attention. I’ve got to do a better job… look for a better way to get these guys prepared.”

The Poets did make a move in the third quarter, cutting the Eufaula lead to a bucket mostly due to the inside work of Antwan Burnett, who finished with a game-high 25 points.

But Eufaula continued to fire away behind the arc. The Tigers finished with just eight 3-pointers but all seemed to be at a critical time.

The Poets took the lead with just over six minutes remaining in regulation and held it until a 3-pointer by Josh Paige with 48 seconds left. Neither team was able to score in the final seconds, leaving the game tied at 70-70.

The a lack of intensity proved to be fatal in the overtime period. Lanier suffered four turnovers and made just three field goals.

“Our guys kept their composure and made plays,” stated Eufaula coach Michael Smith. “I kept telling them, ‘finish the game.’ We were able to give ourselves a chance late and it paid off.”

Eiszeric Thomas led Eufaula (27-5) with 20 points and earned MVP honors. Along with Burnett, the Poets (14-14) placed five players in double figures with Malik Stinson finishing with 13 points. Juan Brown and Joshua Williams each scored 12 and Ja’Darius Temple added 10.