East Rankin Patriots defeat Lamar Raiders in district play

Published 5:05 am Saturday, December 13, 2025

PELAHATCHIE — It was one of those nights where everything went right for East Rankin.

Behind a big third quarter, along with the play of Channing Diveley, Leyton Phillips, and Brayden Ingram, the Patriots raced 54-27 in a MAIS District 2-4A matchup on Friday night at the Billy Rhodes gymnasium.

“It’s been a long time coming the guys have been working really hard; just we’ve been having trouble playing four really good quarters and it’s finally starting to click,” said East Rankin head coach Josh Flynt. “Defense has been improving and that’s what has been holding us back is the intensity in the second half.”

East Rankin never trailed.

The Patriots ended the first quarter on a 10-0 run to build a 15-4 lead to begin the game.

In the second quarter the Raiders opened the period on a 8-2 run to cut the ERA lead to 17-12, but the Patriots ended the first half on a 7-4 run to take a 24-16 halftime lead.

The third quarter was the difference in this one as East Rankin outscored Lamar 22-2 to take a commanding 46-18 lead at the end of the quarter and put the game out of reach.

The Patriots scored four quick points to begin the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 50-20 before both teams played reserves.

Diveley scored a game-high 21 points to lead East Rankin, while both Phillips and Ingram added 11 points each for the Patriots (2-13, 1-2 MAIS District 2-4A).

“I was really proud of the way we came out of halftime and finished the game which is something we’ve been lacking,” Flynt said. “Ingram is a beast inside and Phillips can be the best player on the floor if his motor can run, so that’s if he can get going and make shots. This is our first district win in a few years in boys, so this is huge for us. Us, Lamar, and Starkville are battling for the same spot in district, so to get this one early in the year is a good feeling so we need to keep this momentum going moving forward.”

MiKeal Willis had eight points to lead Lamar. The Raiders dropped to 8-6 and 0-2 in district play.

“There are nights where there will be shots you take that don’t go in and shots the opponent takes and goes in and tonight was one of those nights. That East Rankin team looked better than a 1-13 team,” said Lamar School coach Jacob Ginn. “This game doesn’t change my belief in the team we’re going to be because we’re still not full strength and haven’t had a practice with the entire team with football guys coming in. We’re going to be in a awesome group and we’re going to find ourselves. December is a tough slate, but we’re going to work for it.”

GIRLS

East Rankin 53, Lamar School 20

Promising junior standout Liz Stevens had a game-high 27 points to lead the Patriots, while Elizabeth Thrash added 10 points for East Rankin (13-3).