Lady Panthers open season with win

The game was a back and forth affair. The Lady Panthers took a slim advantage into the half, leading 23-22. The back and forth battle continued in the second half, with Jackson County holding a 41-39 lead with two minutes remaining.

Ashley Skelton then put up two free throws to give the Lady Panthers four more points to lean on. Jackson County then held St. Pius scoreless for the final moments to win the game 48-39.

Skelton led in scoring with 19 points, nine rebounds and five steals.

“She really played a good game, and showed good leadership,” said Pittman. “Katie Rodriguez made some big plays down the stretch to help us put the game away.”

The win meant the Lady Panthers would be facing Lovett Monday evening in the second round of the tournament.

“We’re going to have to use some of our quickness to put pressure on them, and get the game in more of an up tempo style,” Pittman said. “They’re pretty big, but I think our speed and our pressure can cause problems for them.”

Results of the game were unavailable at press time.

For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald or The Braselton News.