Laney rallies past Butler - The Augusta Chronicle

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SARA CALDWELL/STAFF

Butler's Dan Lambert tries to put up a shot against Laney. He had 12 points in the Bulldogs' loss.

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Sara Caldwell

Sara Caldwell/staff Butler #12 Don Lambert tries to keep the ball from Laney #11 Jammie West during the boys basketball game between Laney Walker High School and Butler High School in the gymnasium at Laney Walker High School in Augusta, Georgia on Saturday, January 21, 2012.

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Sara Caldwell

Sara Caldwell/staffLaney #5 Raheem Newton has the ball during the boys basketball game between Laney Walker High School and Butler High School in the gymnasium at Laney Walker High School in Augusta, Georgia on Saturday, January 21, 2012.

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Sara Caldwell

Sara Caldwell/staff Laney #11 Jammie West puts up a basket during the boys basketball game between Laney Walker High School and Butler High School in the gymnasium at Laney Walker High School in Augusta, Georgia on Saturday, January 21, 2012.

Jammie West knew the free-throw attempt was off the moment it left his hands.

He made sure that feeling didn’t return.

West hit his next six foul shots to finish with 29 points as the Laney boys defeated Butler, 56-51, Saturday evening.

“I told myself, ‘Get it together, Jammie,’ ” West said. “It’s not happening again.”

West and Raheem Newton, who finished with 12 points, spearheaded the Wildcats’ rally from an 11-point deficit.

Trailing 47-36, Laney (14-3) dominated the rest of the way, with Newton’s second 3-pointer giving the Wildcats the lead for good.

After West missed the front end of a 1-and-1, he was perfect the next three trips.

“It was obvious the team’s will would not let us lose,” Laney coach Jerry Hunter said.

Before Laney mounted its rally, Jeff Menefee and Marquis Leverett each hit 3-pointers to help hand Butler (10-8) that 11-point edge.

Jeff Archie led the Bulldogs with 15 points. Dan Lambert added 12.

In the girls game, Laney went up big early and cruised to an 86-28 victory.

The Lady Wildcats (18-1) scored at least 21 points in three quarters, with the peak coming in a 30-point third.

But the game was decided after the first eight minutes, when Laney’s press forced turnovers and easy scores. Laney led 26-7 after the first period.

Jermeka Gibson had 22 points to lead all scorers.

Laney’s DeKoya Mack and Katice Williams stretched out the defense, with each accounting for two 3-pointers.

Simone Smith and Khadijah Cave controlled the glass for the Lady Wildcats. Smith finished with 12 points. Cave had 10.

Twelve players scored for Laney.

“It felt good,” Williams said of the win. “It means everybody’s working hard.”