FORT WHITE — It was a game where both teams created momentum, but neither sustained it. One team built a lead, but couldn’t build upon it. The other forged a comeback, but couldn’t finish.
In the end, though, Fort White High School did just enough Tuesday to hold off Lafayette for a 50-49 win in non-district boys basketball.
The Indians (8-8) led by as many as 13 points in the second half, but the outcome wasn’t decided until the final moments when the Hornets had multiple chances over the last three possessions to either tie or go ahead, but failed to convert on four of their last five field-goal attempts.
Three Fort White free throws over the game’s final 1:47 provided just enough of a cushion for the hosts to secure their second consecutive win.
“It came down to a couple possessions that we should have did more (with),” Fort White coach Isiah Phillips said. “We settled for jump shots that didn’t fall. Instead of swinging the ball around and working through the offense, we took too many quick shots that didn’t fall. When they fall, you look good. When they don’t, you let the other team come back in the game. On two back-to-back possessions, they hit 3s and they’re back in the game. We’ve got to be smarter and more selective on our shots.”
Lafayette, which was without four starters because of injury or illness, missed a game-tying 3-pointer on the last possession. Garris Edwards gathered the rebound for a buzzer-beating putback that left the Hornets a single point short, fitting because they were within one possession of tying six times in the fourth quarter.
“I thought the effort was there,” Lafayette coach Ehrin Beach said. “We couldn’t get the ball in the hole. Other than that, I can’t complain. A lot of these guys had to switch positions and it’s not an every-day thing. I’m proud of my bench for stepping up. They were making simple mistakes, but they’ve never been put in that position.”
Myles McClain led Class 5A Fort White with 11 points. Jones added eight. Deonta Rossin chipped in seven. The Class 1A Hornets were led by Juantavius Smith with 11 points. Richey James and Ben Massey had eight points each.
Fort White visits Hawthorne on Friday; Lafayette (7-7) hosts Bronson on Thursday.