LITTLE LIONS: LLCA basketball roaring in Class 1A

Published 9:37 am Wednesday, January 11, 2017

What a difference a year makes for Lindsay Lane Christian Academy’s boys basketball team.

In the Lions first season being eligible to compete for championships in the Alabama High School Athletic Association, they are doing just that. At the midway point in the season, the varsity boys team are position to advance to the postseason in just their second season as an AHSAA member school.

“I think there was a sense last year that no matter what we accomplished, we couldn’t go to playoffs,” said LLCA boys basketball coach Steve Murr. “We pretty much have the same guys back from last year and you can definitely tell a difference this year.”

Lindsay Lane made the jump to the AHSAA last season, but was not eligible to compete for championships in its first year. A motivated, more experienced LLCA team have started the 2016-17 season with a 13-4 record and in position to make the playoffs for the first time.

“We played Decatur Heritage really well,” said Murr about the No. 5 team in Class 1A. “Our goal was to win at least one tournament and we’ve won all three tournaments we competed in. We wanted to have a winning season and we’ve already guaranteed that. It’s because of all the work these guys put in before the season started.”

Lindsay Lane started the season by winning the Vina High School Tipoff Tournament, followed by a win over Thanksgiving at an Addison High School tournament. After Christmas break, LLCA won its third tournament at Sumiton Christian.

After already reaching their goals set before the season, Murr thinks his team can achieve even more in 2017.

“This year, we want to at least advance out of the area,” said Murr. “We start four freshman and sophomores. I think we have a bright future. Every year, we’ve got additional students. As we continue to grow, we’ll pick up more players and increase our chances of winning.”

One of those freshman is Murr’s son, Tommy Murr. The freshman led the team in scoring as an eighth grader and is averaging 23 points per game so far this year. If Murr and the Lions want to make the playoffs for the first time, they will have fellow Athens private school, Athens Bible School. Lindsay Lane beat ABS earlier in the season and another victory would put them in position to possible host the area tournament.

“I think the local schools are already enjoying a rivalry,” said Murr. “Decatur Heritage has a lot more championships and has a much bigger school, but that will be fun moving forward. I appreciate the larger schools playing us. We’re not expected to win, but it’s fun to play them.”

Lindsay Lane will host Whitesburg Christian at 7 p.m. Thursday in another area game.