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LAMP IS NOW ACADEMICALLY RANKED #25 IN THE COUNTRY...

US News & World Report recently released the details of its rankings of the top academic high schools in the nation. Last May, LAMP received the prestigious Gold Medal honor, signifying a top 100 school status. According to the detailed list released in November, LAMP is currently ranked #25 in the country in terms of college prep readiness, test scores, demographics, and other criteria. This is the highest LAMP has been ranked.

LAMP produces True Student Athletes!
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January 16, 2008
LAMP is ranked as the Best Academic Performance school in the State of Alabama

BusinessWeek.com ranked LAMP (a public school) as the Best Overall Academic Performance school, public or private, in Alabama.
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For the 1st time in LAMP's Basketball history, the Varsity Boys are Ranked as one of the top 3A teams in the State of Alabama. This is a major milestone.

ASWA Basketball Poll (02-05-09)

Boy's State Prep Team Rankings

CLASS 6A
1. Pinson Valley (29-1) , 2. Shades Valley (22-5) , 3. Bob Jones (23-7) , 4. Gadsden City (20-6) , 5. Central-Phenix City (19-4) , 6. Murphy (22-4) , 7. Baldwin Co. (21-3) , 8. Daphne (20-4) , 9. Austin (18-9) , 10. Northridge (23-4)

CLASS 5A
1. LeFlore (24-2) , 2. Eufaula (26-1) , 3. Butler (26-3) , 4. Parker (22-5) , 5. Erwin (23-6) , 6. Woodlawn (21-6) , 7. Shelby Co. (20-5) , 8. Russellville (20-5) , 9. Lee-Huntsville (21-9) , 10. Talladega (23-6)

CLASS 4A
1. Andalusia (21-2) , 2. Calera (23-4) , 3. Greensboro (24-1) , 4. Midfield (24-6) , 5. Brewbaker Tech (22-4), 6. Dora (25-3), 7. Anniston (20-6) , 8. Dallas Co. (22-5) , 9. B.C. Rain (15-5) , 10. Ashford (17-8)


CLASS 3A
1. Madison Academy (25-4) , 2. Leeds (19-9) , 3. Sumter Co. (20-5) , 4. West Morgan (24-4) , 5. Altamont (16-7) , 6. White Plains (24-4) , 7. Hamilton (19-5) , 8. Crossville (22-7) , 9. LAMP (21-5) , 10. Good Hope (21-9)

CLASS 2A
1. Barbour Co. (22-4) , 2. Pickens Co. (20-3) , 3. Mars Hill Bible (21-8) , 4. Houston Co. (26-5) , 5. Cleveland (21-7) , 6. Tanner (20-7) , 7. Cherokee (20-7) , 8. Lamar Co. (18-6) , 9. Hatton (17-7) , 10. Fyffe (18-6)


CLASS 1A
1. Talladega Co. Central (22-4) , 2. Phillips (26-4) , 3. Meek (21-2) , 4. Georgiana (21-7) , 5. J.F. Shields (14-10) , 6. Parkway Christian (18-10) , 7. Asbury (18-6) 8. Collinsville (15-10) , 9. Wadley (17-4) , 10. McIntosh (19-5)

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Article: Brake scores 30pts <--- Click here to read

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Birmingham News -- Dennis Victory, February 21, 2009 7:51 p.m.

LAMP 83, LaFayette 61

MVP Alec Pitts helped the Class 3A ninth-ranked Golden Tigers (26-5) to the their first Final 48 in school history, scoring 28 points in Central Regional final action at Alabama State's Acadome in Montgomery.

It's also the first winning season in school history for Loveless Academic Magnet Program, which started basketball in 2000.

Gabe Brake scored 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for LAMP.

Xavier Higgins led LaFayette (21-9) with 10 points while Antoine Heard scored nine and grabbed 11 rebounds.
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Montgomery Advertiser
February 14, 2009

Young's late heroics lift LAMP

The LAMP boys rallied from an eight-point deficit in the final three minutes to knock off Dade­ville 84-83 in subregional action at Robert E. Lee High School.

Junior Bryan Young capped the comeback with a four-point play in the final 10 seconds. Trailing 83-80 with nine seconds to play, Young picked up a loose ball, spun and put up a 3-pointer while being fouled.

Young's 3 was good and so was his free throw.

"Bryan just muscled that shot," LAMP coach Anthony Norris said. "The guy was hang­ing on him but Bryan got the shot off and drew the foul. After that, we had to play defense for the final few seconds."

LAMP (24-5) advances to the Central Regional at ASU. This is the first regional appearance for the Golden Tigers.

"It's a year of firsts for us," LAMP senior Gabe Brake said. "We've had our first winning season, our first 20-win season, first area title and now our first regional appearance. This is un­charted territory for us."

Alec Pitts led LAMP with 27 points and seven assists. Brake added 22 points and 17 rebounds and Young had 11 points, 13 re­bounds, five assists.

"It was an exciting win, but it shouldn't have been that close," Brake said. "We didn't play our best but you have to give credit to Dadeville for scoring 83 points. We hope this is a wakeup call and that we'll be ready in the next round."

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Read Article: HAIL YOUNG: LAMP senior hits desperate 3-pointer and free throw to sink Dadeville <-- Click here
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Read article: LAMP lights a Fire to Hardwood <-- Click here

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Montgomery Advertiser
February 10, 2009
By Wesley Lyle - wlyle@gannett.com

Class3A, Area 5 Championship
LAMP wins first area title

The LAMP basketball team was not at its best Monday night.

Missed opportunities and a slow start left the Golden Tigers with their hands full late in the first half. A 25-point third quarter helped change that. The outburst sparked LAMP to a 73-60 win over Marbury and the Class 3A, Area 5 championship at Sidney Lanier High School.

"The first thing we did when we got in the locker room was celebrate for about 10 seconds," LAMP senior and tournament MVP Alec Pitts said. "Then we talked about the things we could have done better tonight, like avoiding fouls and being smarter with the ball. Then we celebrated some more."

The area title is the first for the LAMP basketball program.

(The Big 5)

"We thought we could do this, but it feels good to have won it," LAMP's Bryan Young said. "At the beginning of the season, we set our sights on doing this. We've worked hard and settled in as a team this year."

LAMP (23-5) will host the loser of the LaFayette-Dadeville game Friday. The location of the game had yet to be determined Monday night.

Marbury (13-11) will travel to the winner of LaFayette and Dadeville.

"We're still in it," Marbury coach Terry Hardy said. "There were some positives tonight, I liked the way we finished the game. I wish we had started the game with that much energy."

Marbury trailed by just four points at the end of a quarter. With less than two minutes to play in the first half, it was still a four-point game as LAMP held a 26-22 lead.

"We needed a game like this," Pitts said. "It's unrealistic to think you're going to play your best game every time. But that's what we try to do. When we don't have our best game and we can still win, I think it shows something about this team."

LAMP closed the half with a 7-3 run and opened the second half with a 23-7 run.

"At the half, we went in and challenged the kids to pick it up in the third quarter," LAMP coach Anthony Norris said. "The kids answered and we pulled away in the third. That quarter made the difference. If we don't make that big run, we don't win the game."

During the third, Pitts had 11 points and Young added eight.

"You have to come ready to play no matter what," Young said. "You can't let a good team like Marbury stay with you. I think winning a game like this shows that we are supposed to be here. It's not a fluke."

Pitts finished with the game with 25 points, giving him 51 points in two Area 5 games. Young added 19 points and 10 rebounds. Gabe Brake finished with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Arthur Bruce added nine rebounds.

Wesley Warren led Marbury with 29 points, including 20 in the second half. Younger brother Pierre Warren hit five 3-pointers, finished with 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
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Montgomery Advertiser
By Wesley Lyle

The Golden Tigers knocked off Trinity 75-46 to advance.

(Arthur Bruce)

Seniors Alec Pitts and Gabe Brake have been through a lot with the LAMP basketball pro­gram.

As freshmen, the two were part of a team that had little his­tory. As sophomores, wins be­came a little more frequent be­fore the first postseason win came as juniors.

Friday night, LAMP picked up its second postseason victory and earned its first appearance in the Class 3A, Area 5 champi­onship.

"This means the world to us," Pitts said. "We've been working so hard to get to this point. We want to win the area so we can have something to smile about.

"As freshmen, we were just hoping we wouldn't get blown out in games. We've come from that to now -- we believe we can win every game. Nothing is going to be handed to us, but if we work hard and play LAMP basketball, we know we have a shot."

"These kids deserve suc­cess," LAMP coach Anthony Norris said of a team that was 11-14 two seasons ago and 13-14 last season, the best record in the program's history until this year. "They've worked hard in the classroom and on the court. I'm proud what these guys have accomplished."

The Golden Tigers (22-5) will face Marbury (13-10) in the area championship on Monday at 6 p.m.

LAMP established itself quickly, building a 24-9 lead over the Wildcats (9-20) in the first quarter. Trinity slowed the tempo in the second quarter and pulled within nine points. That was as close as Trinity would get.

"We know if we play at a fast pace and play defense, we've got a good chance to win," Brake said. "The last time we played Trinity, they tried to dictate the pace of the game. Our ability to dictate the pace was a big part in this win."

LAMP dealt Trinity a mo­mentum-killing blow at the half­time buzzer. After Trinity's Kyle Shaw scored to make it an 11-point game with four seconds left, Pitts threw up a half-court shot.

"We had been up, but we were in a little scoring drought," Brake said. "They had just hit a shot when Alec threw it in. That was like a good excla­mation mark going into the half."

Trinity coach Jack Schweers said the shot had an impact

"We had just made it an 11-point game, and we were hop­ing we could cut into that in the third quarter," Schweers said. "Then he throws it in and they scored quickly in the third. It was a tough road from there."

LAMP pushed its lead to 23 points in the third and contin­ued to build in the final quarter.

Pitts led all scorers with 26 points. Brake added 19 points and Arthur Bruce had 15.

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Montgomery Advertiser
January 31, 2009

LAMP 83, BTW Magnet 44
Gabe Brake scored 20 points and Alec Pitts 18 for LAMP (21-5). Arthur Bruce added 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Dion Williams had 10 points.

LAMP faces ei­ther Trinity or Montevallo in the 3A, Area 5 semifinals Friday at Sidney Lanier.
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Montgomery Advertiser
January 30, 2009

LAMP's Bryan Young hits game-winning shot

Bryan Young sank a 15-foot jumper with 5 seconds remain­ing and LAMP caught a break at the buzzer to beat Alabama Christian 69-67 on Thursday.

ACA's Lucas Horn took a short jumper at the horn that bounced off the rim and hit a support wire above the basket. That wiped out the shot, which went in.

Alec Pitts totaled 27 points, 20 in the second half. The Golden Ti­gers (20-5) host BTW Magnet to­day at 5:30.

Reed Teel had 20 points, Clint Mitchell 18 and Nathan Beasley 14 for the Eagles (20-5), who play at Montgomery Academy on Saturday.

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Montgomery Advertiser
January 28, 2009
By A. Stacy Long

LAMP whips Brew Tech

LAMP senior Alec Pitts smiles and leans in, despite the negative word he's just heard.

He embraces the term nerd, though it's meant to mock the high minded, and points to a basketball season that has gone so well for the Golden Tigers.

"We are nerds, and we're mighty proud of it," Pitts said after LAMP's 85-70 win over Brewbaker Tech on Tuesday at Faulkner University.

"We want to prove that you can be on top of the world academically and in athletics."

LAMP and Brewbaker Tech, with reputations built on high grades and computer savvy, are showing they have basketball skills, too.

Two of the city's magnet schools have high hopes their hoops will take them to the state tournament next month.

LAMP is one of the top 25 magnet programs in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. The Golden Tigers (19-5) are ranked seventh in Alabama's Class 3A.

Brewbaker Tech, with a nickname based on the computer term Random Access Memory, is ranked fourth in Class 4A. The Rams have a 22-4 record.

"These nerds can play basketball," Dixon said. "We come to play."

(Brew Tech's Justin Patton and LAMP's Gabe Brake fight for the ball during Tuesday's game. -Picture by: Amanda Sowards- )



On Tuesday, the teams engaged in a high-fueled showdown that contradicts the former name for their rivalry. Dixon said it was known as the Brain Bowl.

"These teams show that there are kids in Montgomery who are academically inclined and can play basketball," Brew Tech coach Chauncey Shines said. "If somebody says it can't be done, don't believe them because these kids show that it can."

LAMP forward Gabe Brake, who scored a game-high 25 points Tuesday, is a National Merit Scholar semifinalist and likes his chances of making the final round.

"We have guys who can perform in the classroom and on the court," Brake said. "School starts at 7:30 and we have study hall in seventh period before starting practice at 4. We sometimes don't get home until 7.

"It's hard, but it's worth it, especially on a night like this."

Pitts added 15 points, Arthur Bruce 14 and Bryan Young 12 for the Golden Tigers, who scored 12 straight fourth-quarter points to blow open a close game.

Dixon had 17 points, Justin Patton 14, Kendall Broughton 13 and Giovanni Smith 12 for Brew Tech.

The first 3 1/2 quarters featured 12 lead changes, eight ties and no lead of more than six points. Brew Tech led 50-44 late in the third quarter.

"I'm confident if we can maintain this level of play, we can go to Birmingham," LAMP coach Anthony Norris said. "We saw that talent early and knew we'd be good enough, but it's still a long road.

"We have to maintain this level of play."

LAMP had a nine-game winning streak snapped at Dallas County last week. Brew Tech, which was playing its regular-season finale, had won 15 of 16 entering Tuesday.

"We needed a loss," Dixon said. "I think we were getting a little too cocky and this will help us. Now, we've got to get ready for the playoffs."
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Montgomery Advertiser
January 25, 2009

LAMP ekes by Trinity
Tied 41-41 with 5:45 to play, LAMP's Alec Pitts sparked the Golden Tigers to an 11-0 run and a 61-55 victory over Trinity on Saturday.

Pitts scored 10 in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 24 points. Gabe Brake added 13 points for seventh-ranked LAMP (18-5, 8-0 Class 3A, Area 5).
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Montgomery Advertiser
January 23, 2009

Ranked LAMP falls at Dallas Co.
Alec Pitts and Gabe Brake both scored 28 points but it wasn't enough as seventh-ranked LAMP lost to Dallas County 90-83 in overtime on Thursday. Pitts also had five steals and Brake had 10 re­bounds.
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Montgomery Advertiser
January 21, 2009

LAMP 80, Tallassee 60
Alec E Pitts had 27 points and seven steals to lead ninth-ranked LAMP (17-4, 7-0 area).

Gabe Brake had 14 points and Dion Williams added 12 for LAMP, which travels to Dallas County on Thursday.

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January 17, 2008
LAMP 73, Montevallo 41

Brake Joins LAMP's 1,000 Points Club:

Gabe Brake (6'5" Power Forward) score his 1,000th point Friday night to become only the 2nd player in LAMP's history to reach this mile­stone . Brake is part of the best basketball duo in the Montgomery, AL area. Alec Pitts (5'10" Point Guard), the other half of the duo, scored his 1,000th point last year.

Alec Pitts led all scores with 21 points, Gabe Brake scored 15 and Marurice Asousu added 10. LAMP (16-4, 7-0) remained unbeaten in Class 3A, Area 5.

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Montgomery Advertiser
January 14, 2009

LAMP 82, Marbury 55
Alec Pitts, Gabe Brake and Arthur Bruce combined for 55 points to lead LAMP (15-4, 6-0 Class 3A, Area 4). Pitts had 23 points and four steals, Brake had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Bruce finished with 15 points.

#20 Gabe Brake with his 1st Dunk in a Game!_______________________________________________________________
Montgomery Advertiser
January 10, 2009

Brake, Pitts spark LAMP past MA

Gabe Brake had 21 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and four steals for LAMP in a 60-56 victory over Montgomery Academy on Friday.

Alec Pitts had 19 points, six steals and five assists for the Golden Tigers (14-4, 5-0 Class 3A, Area 4). _______________________________________________________________
January 7, 2009

A team effort helps LAMP to a win over Trinity
LAMP 79, Trinity 59

Alec Pitts scored 17 points and Gabe Blake had 16 to lead the Golden Tigers (15-4, 4-0 Class 3A, Area 5) past the Wildcats (5-13).

Kristian Taylor had 12 points and eight rebounds and Dion Williams added 10 points for LAMP.
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Montgomery Advertiser
January 4, 2009
By Wesley Lyle

LAMP gets over the hump against Central-Hayneville

The LAMP boys knew what they were up against on Satur­day.

During the past two seasons, the Golden Tigers have had sev­eral close battles with Central-Hayneville, including a number of overtime losses. LAMP found a way this time, scoring with two seconds left to win 75-73.

"Tonight was a good measur­ing stick for us," LAMP coach Anthony Norris said. "We knew how well they played in the Carver tournament (beating Sidney Lanier and Jeff Davis). We challenged our kids to step up and our kids accepted the challenge."

LAMP (13-4) tied the game 73-73 with 28 seconds left when Dion Williams scored off of an Alec Pitts' assist. Central (11-6) missed a shot on the ensuing possession, setting up one final shot for the Golden Tigers.

Pitts got a look but was off the mark. Bryan Young was there for the put-back with two seconds to play.

"This was our biggest win so far," Pitts said. "We've played them several times the past couple of years. We've been to over­time with them, but we haven't been able to pull it out. Tonight we found a way and Bryan gave us the points at the end."

Following a Central timeout, LAMP tipped away the in­bounds pass to end the game.

"Jay Taylor's defensive re­bound was the big difference at the end," Young said of Taylor's rebound that set up LAMP's fi­nal attempt. "Without that re­bound, we don't have the chance to take that last shot."

Pitts led all scorers with 23 points. The senior also had six assists and four steals. Gabe Brake had 19 points and 10 re­bounds and Young finished with 12 points, seven boards and four assists. Kristian Taylor grabbed seven rebounds and Jay Taylor had four rebounds, five assists and six steals.
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Montgomery Advertiser
December 30, 2008

Pitts earns MVP as LAMP boys wins Red Level Christmas Tournament
Also chosen to the All Tournament Team; Gabe Brake, Bryan Young and Jay Taylor.

RED LEVEL -- Tournament most valuable player Alec Pitts tossed in 30 points and had nine assists as LAMP beat Red Level 90-74 in the Red Level tournament championship game Monday.


Gabe Brake added 18 points and 11 rebounds and Bryan Young had 16 points and 10 boards. Jay Taylor finished with 13 points and five assists. LAMP (11-4).
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Montgomery Advertiser
December 28, 2008

LAMP boys advance to Red Level finals

RED LEVEL -- Alec Pitts scored 20 points and Jay Taylor added 12 as LAMP defeated Straughn 69-41 on Saturday to advance to the finals of the Red Level Christmas tournament.

Taylor also had seven steals.

LAMP (10-4) faces Red Level at 7:30 p.m. Monday for the championship.
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The Press-Register
Saturday, December 27, 2008

Brake leads LAMP over Brantley, 77-76

Gabe Brake's two free throws with five seconds remaining thwarted Brantley's comeback as LAMP advanced to the semifinals of the Red Level Christmas Tournament with a 77-76 victory Friday night.

Brake finished with 34 points, while Alec Pitts added 18 for LAMP.
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Montgomery Advertiser
December 20, 2008

Pitts leads LAMP past Bayside

Alec Pitts had 19 points and four steals for LAMP in A 63-46 victory over Bayside Academy in the Catholic Christmas tournament at Huntingdon College. Arthur Bruce and Gabe Brake scored 12 points each, and Dion Williams added 10.
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Montgomery Advertiser
December 13, 2008

Pitts and Brake team up for another win for LAMP

LAMP 72, Montgomery Academy 70 (OT)

Alec Pitts hit a shot from be­yond half court in the final sec­onds of regulation to force over­time and hit a free throw in overtime to help secure the win.

Trailing 70-69 in overtime, Arthur Bruce gave LAMP (6-3, 3-0 Class 3A, Area 4) the lead for good on a tip-in. Pitts made it a two-point lead, hitting 1-of-2 from the free-throw line, before the Golden Tigers sealed the win with a steal.

Pitts finished with a game-high 28 points, nine assists and seven steals. Gabe Brake added 19 points and 11 rebounds and Bruce had 12 points, all in the fourth period and overtime. Bruce also had 10 rebounds.
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Montgomery Advertiser
November 11, 2008

Taylor and Pitts cruised to 22 points to beat Dallas County

LAMP 92, Dallas County 72

Alec Pitts and Jake Taylor finished with 22 points each as LAMP cruised past Dallas County in the season opener after trailing 43-41 at the half.

Taylor also recorded a double grabbing 10 rebounds. Arthur Bruce finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Gabe Break added 12 points.
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