Cameron Thomas Leads LaFayette Past Red Bay in AHSAA Class 2A Semifinals
BIRMINGHAM, AL – LaFayette secured their spot in the Class 2A Boys’ state championship with a thrilling 34-32 victory over Red Bay on Monday. Senior point guard Cameron Thomas delivered the game-winning play in the final seconds at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena in Birmingham.
Both teams battled through a defensive slugfest that featured multiple lead changes and low shooting percentages. Red Bay fought back from an early deficit to take the lead in the final minute. However, LaFayette executed a perfect final possession to keep their championship dreams alive.
The victory pushes LaFayette to a 26-7 overall record. The Bulldogs will now face Section High School in Friday morning’s championship matchup. LaFayette looks to capture its fifth state title and its first since the 2015 season.
Final Ticks on the Clock Determines the Outcome
The final minute of the Class 2A semifinal provided immense drama for the fans at Legacy Arena. Red Bay claimed a 32-31 advantage when Bryant Harris sliced through the defense for a driving layup with just 19 seconds remaining on the clock.
Trailing by a single point, LaFayette head coach Chase Lewis immediately called a timeout to design a response. The Bulldogs inbounded the ball with 10 seconds left. Ty’Kaden Williams received the pass and quickly found Thomas near the center of the court.
Thomas wasted no time. The 5-foot-10 senior drove hard to his right, carved his way into the paint, and tossed up a floater while drawing heavy contact. The shot kissed the glass and dropped through the net. Thomas calmly stepped to the free-throw line and sank the ensuing foul shot to complete the three-point play.
Players and Coaches React to the Clutch Finish
Red Bay had one final opportunity after Thomas’ heroics. Point guard Dalton Lowery launched a desperation 40-foot heave at the buzzer, but the shot missed the mark. The LaFayette bench erupted onto the court in celebration of the 34-32 win.
“Simple pick and roll,” Thomas explained after the game. “The coaches wanted me to keep driving the entire game. I saw the lane and took it.”
Coach Lewis praised his senior leader’s competitive drive. He noted that Thomas always rises to the occasion in critical moments.
“At the end of the day, Cameron Thomas didn’t want to stop playing basketball,” Lewis said. “It’s that simple. These guys can’t be broken. This is a family fighting unit.”
A Defensive Battle from Tip-Off to Buzzer
The semifinal matchup proved to be a grueling defensive contest. Neither team found an offensive rhythm, and open shots remained scarce throughout all four quarters. LaFayette finished the game shooting just 14-of-42 from the floor. Red Bay converted 12 of its 31 field goal attempts.
Perimeter shooting proved especially difficult in the spacious Legacy Arena. The two teams combined to make only three three-pointers on 19 total attempts. Instead, the game was decided by points in the paint and capitalizing on mistakes.
LaFayette controlled the interior early on, taking a 16-11 lead into the halftime locker room. The Bulldogs utilized their quickness to force turnovers and create transition opportunities. LaFayette finished the contest with a distinct 15-3 advantage in points off turnovers and a 9-0 edge in fastbreak points.
Red Bay Rallies in the Third Quarter
Red Bay refused to surrender quietly. The Tigers adjusted their strategy at halftime and mounted a fierce comeback in the third quarter. They outscored LaFayette 15-7 during the third period, turning a five-point halftime deficit into a 27-23 lead entering the final frame.
The Tigers leaned on their size advantage inside. Sophomore Khalil Luster, a 6-foot-8 forward, anchored the Red Bay defense. Luster finished the game with nine points, seven rebounds, and two blocked shots to keep the Tigers within striking distance.
Despite the bitter defeat, Red Bay coach John Torisky expressed immense pride in his roster. The Tigers finished their successful campaign with an impressive 26-7 record.
“It’s hard to talk when you lose a game like that,” Torisky said. “I will say it’s been a really good year. We did a lot of things I wasn’t sure we’d get to. Unfortunately, they made a heck of a shot.”
Key Contributors
While Thomas provided the late-game heroics, multiple players stepped up to deliver the victory for LaFayette. Kemare Harrington led the Bulldogs with 10 crucial points. Thomas finished with a well-rounded stat line of nine points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Jayden Thomason also contributed nine points to the winning effort.
For Red Bay, Harris paced the offense with 10 points, including the clutch layup that briefly gave the Tigers the lead. Luster provided a commanding presence in the paint, altering several LaFayette shot attempts.
LaFayette’s ability to dominate the painted area ultimately made the difference. The Bulldogs outscored the Tigers 24-18 in the lane. This interior success allowed LaFayette to overcome their struggles from beyond the three-point arc.
LaFayette Prepares for the State Title Showdown
The dramatic semifinal victory sends LaFayette into the Class 2A Boys’ championship game. The Bulldogs will face Section High School, a team that earned its championship berth by defeating the reigning 2A state champion, Providence Christian.
Tip-off for the championship matchup is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. on Friday at Legacy Arena. Section enters the contest with a 25-10 overall record, setting the stage for a highly competitive final.
LaFayette carries significant historical weight into the championship. The program previously captured state titles in 1986, 1989, 2002, and 2015. A victory on Friday would secure the fifth championship banner in school history.
Coach Lewis believes his experienced roster is fully prepared for the challenge. The team features a battle-tested group of seniors who have navigated deep playoff runs over the past three seasons.
“The kids work hard. They’ve worked hard since the offseason,” Lewis said. “I’ve got a lot of seniors who’ve just paid their dues, and I just think it’s time for them to get what they deserve.”
FEATURED IMAGE: LaFayette guard Kemarre Harrington moves up court in the Class 2A Boys’ semifinals Monday as Red Bay’s defense moves to slow him down. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)
