HTC Day 2: Semifinals

Ivan McDowell, Southeast/Mid-South Editor

The final four of the 2008 Huntsville Times Classic were both stellar and intriguing.

December 28, 2008 – The first contest pitted the Butler Rebels and the Bob Jones Patriots. These two area powers are very familiar with one another having faced off a month ago in the finals of the SportsMed Shootout. The Rebels won that game and were looking to go 20-0 on the season.

Butler 58 Bob Jones 57- The cream rises to the top when the game goes into crunch time and Trevor Lacy reminded everyone why he is the best underclassman in Alabama. The super sophomore dropped 20 points on the Patriots and the ball was in his hands down the stretch. He got help from point guard and cousin Justin Pride, who totaled 14. Pride, who’s listed at 5’8, stroked four treys and led the Rebels with six boards. Bob Jones shot a balmy 57 percent from the field but turned the ball over 17 times, while recording only five assists. Butler improves to 20-0 and will face arch rival Johnson in the finals on Monday.

Johnson's Josh Langford

Johnson 57 Athens 47- Did I mention that cream rises to the top when the game is on the line? Well another one of the states finest youngsters stepped up his game when his team needed it the most. Jaguar junior Josh Langford scored 18 points and snared 12 caroms to propel Johnson into the finals versus Butler for the second straight year. The Jags outscored Athens 24-11 in the fourth quarter after trailing the first three quarters. Langford was aggressive on the block down the stretch and didn’t settle for perimeter play. In his usual fashion he attacked the basket and scored around the rim. Aaron Davis shined for the second consecutive day with 16 points and four rebounds. Trey Brooks also came to play, posting a double-double with 20 points and 13 boards.

Finals Preview: Butler vs. J.O. Johnson- In a rematch of last years finals, Butler is the best team in the Hunstville (AL) area, but Johnson is hungry. The Jags have been the Rebels little brother for the last few years and are tired of playing second fiddle. Where Johnson has the advantage is in the post. The 6’6 Langford, 6’6 Antwon Jackson and newly eligible 6’4 Aaron Davis form an imposing trio upfront. They have the size and athletic ability to dominate down low.

Butler’s strength is in their backcourt. Point guard Justin Pride has been his usual pesky self on defense and has penetrated at will during the tourney. Surprisingly, he has made defenses pay for slacking off of his jumper and hit his share of open jumpers from downtown. Trevor Lacy has been lying in the weeds, so to speak, and picking his spots to put his stamp on games. His stamp has usually been during crunch time. Lacy slashes to the cup at will, using his size and strength to finish on the break and in the half court.

The x-factor is Davis. He seems to be a more consistent scoring option than Antwon Jackson and is more aggressive. He must continue his fine play for the Jags to win. Butler expects to win and until someone takes the shows them otherwise they will.