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Sports

Lassiter Win Ends 7 Years of Frustration

The Trojans are headed to the state tournament for the first time since 2004.

If the basketball team looked like they were on a mission during their Region 5-AAAAA quarterfinal game against Etowah, it's probably because they were. With a seven-year state tournament drought staring them in the face, the Trojans didn't blink. Lassiter shot out to a 26-11 lead and never looked back, earning a 55-37 over Etowah. The victory clinches the Trojan's first state tournament appearance since 2003-04.

Although it was a three seed [Lassiter] against a seven seed [Etowah], Trojan coach Jeremy Morris said there's no way his team was the favorite, "When you haven't been to the state playoffs in seven years, you're the underdog," Morris said after the game. " And we feel like we're the underdog every time we go on the floor."

Not only was Lassiter riding a seven-year state tournament drought going into the game, but they were also in the midst of a five-game losing streak. Morris thought his team needed to get off to a hot start and they did. The Trojans led 26-11 at one point in the second quarter and extended that lead to 31-14 by halftime.

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Lassiter's Niles Clark almost outscored Etowah on his own, the junior had 11 points in the first half.

Etowah tried to make a game of it in the second half, twice they trimmed the Lassiter lead down to eight, but the Eagles could get no closer.

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The Trojans had four players reach double digits, something Morris appreciated, " The guys did a good job [of spreading the ball around]," Morris said, before adding, "But I am concerned with the 19 turnovers."

Adam Dowell led the Trojans in scoring, the junior guard tallied 13 points. Clark finished his night with 12 while Deshawn Crawford and Juwan Dickey added 11 and 10.

Austin Miramoni was Etowah's top scorer, he finished the game with eight.

Lassiter's (10-13) season will continue on Friday in the region semifinals when they take on Wheeler. The Trojans are 0-2 against the Wildcats this year, including a 76-44 setback on Feb. 8. The Lassiter-Wheeler game will tip off from Etowah High School at 5:30 p.m.

Etowah ends their season with an 8-18 record.Β 

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