Rebels Roll to HTC Title

Ivan McDowell, Southeast/Mid-South, Editor

Lacy, Eason and Pride named to All-Tourney Team

December 30, 2007 - Trevor Lacy and Ralph Eason combined for 28 points, while thrilling the pack Huntsville High gymnasium with an array of highlight film dunks, to enable # 10-ranked Butler defeat city rival and # 8-ranked Johnson High, 65-54.

Both teams came out a little tight, which is typical of a tournament final. Plus you had the teacher vs. pupil matchup (Jack Doss vs. former assistant Ken Betts). You also had two teams that know each other all too well and kids that have grown up together on both sides.

Butler shot out to a quick 7-0 lead and really never looked back, but it wasn’t a cake walk by any stretch of the imagination.

All-Tourney Team (from left to right) Ralph Eason, Trevor Lacy, Justin Pride, Joshua Langford, Marcus Jefferson, DeMario Watkins, James Humphrey and Cameron Logan. Not pictured Edward Daniel.

Johnson began to make the game a helter-skelter affair and quickly got back into this contest thanks to a 12-6 spurt that closed the score to 16-12 with 2:19 to play in the first quarter.

Cameron Logan (16 points) continued his fine play in the tournament; slashing to the hole and hitting long jumpers from the perimeter. The Jaguars struggled with turnovers in the first half, however, and trailed 32-27 at the half.

Butler opened the second half with an 8-0 run that basically sealed the deal and left the Jaguars wondering what hit them. Trevor Lacy (15 points) had a tournament filled with highlight reel dunks, but deferred to his fellow sky walker Ralph Eason (13 points) with a pass off the backboard for the slam.

Johnson attempted to stay close with a 3-pointer by All-Tourney performer Joshua Langford (12 points, nine boards), but it wasn’t enough as Butler won their seventh HTC title in the tournament’s 25 year history.

For Butler, Lacy, Eason and eighth grade point guard Justin Pride were named to the All-Tourney team. The Jaguars placed Langford and Logan on the squad.