Maurice Dixon

@WriturRece | mobasketball27@gmail.com

BUFORD (GA) – Buford welcomed the outside shot from Eagle’s Landing and the Golden Eagles were able to take advantage of that game plan especially David Thomas.

Just a freshman, Thomas scored 10 of his 22 points in the first quarter and senior Keith Lamar added 23 to lead Eagle’s Landing to a 68-52 road win over Buford at the Buford City Arena on November 19.

While Lamar, Thomas, who nailed four 3-pointers, and sophomore AJ Barnes (11 points) handled most of the scoring, senior Kirshon Thrash (nine points) pulled down most of the rebounds (11) and handed out majority of the assists (seven) in the Eagles’ third straight win to begin the season.

“I’m very proud of the guys,” Eagle’s Landing coach Elliott Montgomery said. “We got a ninth grader and 10th grader playing but we are very proud of them. We had some guys come off the bench and play very well. It’s always good to come in a place like this and play well–a big arena. We didn’t shoot the ball too bad. I was very proud of the guys. Our effort was really good cause we played really good defense.”

With the Wolves hoping to cut off driving lanes with their 2-3 zone, the Eagles were able to get some clean looks at the basket early in the contest and knock them down. Thomas led the way with a pair of 3-pointers along with a 3 by Barnes to help Eagle’s Landing enter the second quarter ahead 21-15.

“I’m very proud of David Thomas,” Montgomery said. “When it’s game time he puts the ball in the hole. He shot the ball pretty well and he also defended pretty well for a ninth grader.”

“I got to thank my coach for putting me in good positions with the plays,” Thomas said. “It allowed all of us to drive to the basket and when they sucked in I was able to get an open shot.”

Then in the second, Lamar found his groove offensively, scoring eight straight points which included a three-point play and a 3-pointer against the Wolves’ zone defense. Also with the Eagles in front 31-21, Lamar contributed on the other end, denying a two-handed slam by the 6-11 senior James Munlyn.

But solid performances by freshman London Williams (14 points) and senior Carson Bell (11 points) kept the Wolves within single digits at the break.

In the third, Thomas and Lamar continued to shoot well from the perimeter, resulting in a double-digit lead that the Eagles would maintain the rest of the way. Later in the frame, Lamar had the most impressive play of the contest when he soared past multiple defenders for a one-handed slam which was an indication that Eagle’s Landing would continue to cruise towards a victory.

“We had a dangerous threat in the post in Shon so they were denying me but as soon as they put their eyes on him I saw an open lane and I just took advantage of it,” Lamar said. “I was thankful he was able to pass it to me.”

Buford point guard Sebastian Augustave had a strong showing, totaling 11 points and six assists.