By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The 2009-2010 season was a memorable one for the LaGrange Grangers, who won their first 31 games before losing to Columbia in the state-championship game.

Flash forward a decade, and the Grangers are off to another hot start.

With Saturday’s 63-49 victory over Forest Park in the War Eagle Classic at Woodward Academy, the Grangers are 11-0, and that’s their best start since that special 2009-2010 season.

In the victory over Forest Park, Javon Brown led the way with 19 points, and he had 10 points in the fourth quarter.

“Javon, he’s really improved these past few years, and he just plays so hard,” said Mark Veal, LaGrange’s head coach. “He’s been a great player for us.”

D.J. Burks and Kobe Jones had 14 and 13 points, respectively, and freshman Garrett Jacobsen scored nine points.

“We had a starter sick, Blake Miles, and Garrett stepped in and sparked us with nine points,” Veal said. “He made momentum baskets. That’s a true freshman stepping in and he played really well.”

LaGrange will try to maintain its perfect record when it hosts Heard County on Friday on the opening day of the LaGrange Toyota Classic.

LaGrange then plays W.D. Mohammed on Monday in the LaGrange Toyota Classic before opening its Region 5-AAAA schedule on Jan. 3 against Central-Carroll.

“We’ve played a couple of weaker teams, but we’ve also played some teams that are really good,” Veal said. “Even (Forest Park) was a tough physical game, and it was the short turnaround, playing at 11:45 a.m. after being on the road (on Friday). It showed a lot of character and heart for our guys.”

LaGrange’s girls’ team also participated in the War Eagle Classic, and it lost to Elite Scholars Academy 50-43 on Saturday.

LaGrange was within two points through three quarters, but it was outscored 17-12 in the final quarter.

Chaquae’ayr Robinson led LaGrange with 18 points.

LaGrange was playing without senior standout Kamelah Kelley, who was unable to go with an injury.

LaGrange (6-6) is off until Jan. 3 when it hosts Central-Carroll to open Region 5-AAAA play.