LaFayette couldn’t stay under the radar for long.

Last week, Bulldogs boys head basketball coach Obadiah Threadgill said that he embraced the underdog mentality for his team after not being ranked in the initial Alabama Sports Writers Association prep poll. After week of two wins including a road victory at 6A Opelika and a double-digit win over three-time defending state champion Lanett, the LaFayette boys basketball team could no longer be denied of a spot in the 2A state rankings. With a record of 13-0 before Wednesday night’s tournament final at Handley High School, LaFayette is now the 2A No. 9-ranked team.

Joining the LaFayette boys are once again 2-2 Lanett, who remain at the 1A No. 10 position. The Panthers are still figuring out how to play without last season’s big three of Terrion Truitt, Emmanuel Littles and Anquaevious Pollard, but on a positive note, last season starter Trikweze Bridges has re-joined the team after missing the first couple of games due to participating in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic in Montgomery on Monday.

The Springwood girls still received a nomination for the AISA category. The Wildcats are 7-4 heading into winter break. The LaFayette girls team, led by sophomore forward Feliah Greer,  also received a nomination in 2A. 

The full rankings featuring the local teams are as shown:

GIRLS

 CLASS 2A

1. Collinsville (13-0)

2. Samson (12-2)

3. Cold Springs (10-4)

4. Sand Rock (7-2)

5. Central-Hayneville (9-2)

6. Fyffe (10-2)

7. G.W. Long (14-2)

8. Winston Co. (9-2)

9. Addison (8-4)

10. Geneva Co. (10-4)

Others nominated: Ariton (5-2), Asbury (7-6), Calhoun (7-2), Daleville (6-2), Hatton (10-2), Horseshoe Bend (7-3), LaFayette (7-3).

 AISA

1. Tuscaloosa Academy (11-1)

2. South Choctaw Academy (11-1)

3. Lee-Scott (8-3)

4. Macon-East (9-1)

5. Sparta Academy (10-2)

6. Abbeville Christian (12-2)

7. Monroe Academy (5-3)

8. Evangel Christian (9-6)

9. Lakeside (4-6)

10. Northside Methodist (9-4)

Others nominated: Edgewood Academy (5-6), Pike Liberal Arts (9-8), Springwood (7-4).

BOYS

 CLASS 2A

1. North Sand Mountain (10-1)

2. Red Bay (10-1)

3. Central-Coosa (8-1)

4. Abbeville (6-2)

5. Section (9-4)

6. Barbour Co. (7-2)

7. Fyffe (9-2)

8. Tanner (10-2)

9. LaFayette (13-0)

10. Calhoun (11-2)

Others nominated: Asbury (9-4), Chickasaw (6-3), Cold Springs (10-4), Collinsville (7-3), Cottage Hill (8-2), Daleville (6-2), Sacred Heart (7-3), Sumiton Christian (8-3).

 CLASS 1A

1. Decatur Heritage (12-2)

2. Cornerstone-Birmingham (9-5)

3. Spring Garden (5-1)

4. Georgiana (8-2)

5. Mars Hill Bible (5-1)

6. Marion Co. (9-2)

7. R.A. Hubbard (6-3)

8. South Lamar (3-0)

9. Florala (7-2)

10. Lanett (2-1)

Others nominated: Holy Spirit (8-3), Skyline (9-5).