Editor’s Note: This article is part of our “Throwback Thursday” series. This article is from our Dec. 18, 2004 files.

Sound the alarm.

Barn-burners ripped through the gymnasium at Andalusia High School last night as the Bulldogs held off the Straughn Tigers for win in basketball games.

O’Darius James had a huge night for the Bulldogs in the varsity boys’ 45-38 win. He scored 10 points, but his biggest contribution might have been three blocked shots in the final four minutes of the game.

Andalusia held a 13-12 lead after one quarter of play and held an 18-17 lead at the half.

Straughn exploded on offense with an 11-5 run in the third period for a 28-23 lead going into the final stanza. Sterling Driver made it a 5-point game with a dipsy-do, reverse layup in the final second of the third.

James had back-to-back blocked shots on consecutive attempts by the Tigers with about 3:30 left in regulation. His second blocked shot resulted in a field goal from Jacob Cauley to get Andalusia within one at 34-33.

James hit two free throws with 1:46 left to play in the game to give the Bulldogs a 35-34 lead. Ten seconds later he preserved the lead with another blocked shot.

The score remained a one-point affair until Josh Johnson canned one of two free throws with 1:25 left to play for a 36-34 Andalusia lead.

Andalusia went on to make its free throws down the stretch, or enough of them, to win by a final score of 45-38.

William Alverson, James and Johnson each made free throws to seal the win. Alverson made 3-of-4 free throws in the final five seconds to ice the game.

Chris Cotton had a big game early for Andalusia and ended the game with 12 points. James added 10. Also scoring for Andalusia were Michael McTyere, Alex Taylor, Johnson, Kevin Huff, Michael Berry, Alverson and Jacob Cauley.

Sterling Driver scored 12 points for Straughn. Alphonso Freeney added 11. Also scoring for Straughn were Tyrell Hunter, Jared Armstrong, Zach Hammett and Jeff Bass.

The girls’ game also came down to the wire with the Lady Bulldogs edging past Straughn for a 42-34 win.

Straughn held a 28-21 lead after three quarters of play. Andalusia used a 21-6 run in the final quarter to record the win.

Jermecia McNeil led the way for Andalusia with 11 points. Ashley Johnson and Tambre Gay added 9 points each. Also scoring were Jamie Holmes, Ebony Heard and Briana Cross.

Abby Bracewell was the leading scorer for Straughn and led all scores in the game with 17. Ashley Daniel added 8. McKena Parker and Janiqua Felton also scored.

Andalusia won the B-team game 41-34. Andrew McTyere had 15 points in the win. Also scoring were T.J. Crittenden, Tyler Centner, Justin Sims, Tripp Jones and Jeremy Ferrell.

Ross Parker had 10 points for Straughn. Also scoring for the Tigers were Seth Kinsaul, Justin Freeney, Josh Dozier, Trenton Driver, Jeffery Gunter and Justin Dortch.