Alabama State Championships: Butler wins 5A Title

Ivan McDowell, Southeast/Mid-South Editor

Eason wins MVP; Doss claims his third championship with Rebels

March 3, 2007 - Butler (Hunstville, AL) senior guard Ralph Eason scored 19 points, while forward Ryan Ervin registered a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, propelling Butler High to a 66-59 win over Russellville High and the Alabama boys 5A Championship.

The Rebels took control early in the contest largely due to the dribble penetration of eighth-grader Justin Pride, which opened things up for the cutting Eason, freshman Trevor Lacey (12 points) and Ervin on the blocks for easy lay ins.

Russellville kept the contest close with the three-point shot of Jordan Hammond (6 points; 2-3 from three) and the stellar mid-range game of Terrance Smith, who led the Tigers with 20 points and 11 boards.

Ralph Eason led his Rebels to the Alabama 5A Championship.

With the lead at just four, 27-23 at halftime, Rebels coach Jack Doss instituted his trademark trapping defense to start the second half. With the intensity turned up by Butler, Russellville began to unravel and struggled mightily to get the ball over half court; let alone into their sets on offense.

“Over a period of time we wanted to frustrate them with the trap,” said Doss.

“We’ve been able to do that all year against our opponents and eventually wear them down.”

Eason’s acrobatic layup, followed by easy buckets in the paint by Ervin, pushed the Butler advantage to 41-27, late in the third quarter. For all intents and purposes this ball game was over, but the Tigers wouldn’t go down without a fight.

Hammond nailed another trey and Smith continued his relentless attack from inside the arc; closing the deficit to 46-42, with just under five minutes to play in the game. However, Butler pulled the ball out to the perimeter and went into its stall game to milk the clock.

The result is another Rebel title; their second in the last four years for Coach Jack Doss.

“I don’t like to compare past teams to this one, but this one is impressive because there are guys on this team that probably could play on any other team in the state, but they fit well in our system,” exclaimed Doss.

“Our kids have a wonderful understanding of how to get the ball into the right people’s hands that can make plays. I am just so proud of all of them.”