BCHS Sports

The Banks County High School varsity boys won all three games last week and improved their region record to 4-1 and overall record to 11-9 for the season. Posting wins over Union County 50-48, Fannin County 69-52 and Lumpkin County 73-64.

BCHS took a road trip to Union County and put a win in the region column beating the Panthers by two points. After trailing by four points in the first period, the Leopards got things moving and took a two-point lead by the half.

The Leopards extended their lead in the third period by eight points and had the Panthers by 10 points at the end of the period. The fourth period was a come back for Union and they outscored the Leopards by eight to make it a close game. [Full Story »] 

The Lady Leopards had a huge challenge last Tuesday night from coach Jerry King. Take down the undefeated Wildcats of Rabun County. The game was at home and the team called for all Leopard fans to black out the game in support of the Lady Leopards.

BCHS pulled out the four point victory at the end of the game and upset the Wildcats for their first loss on the season 58-54. The win puts the Leopards in a tie with Rabun in the region with both teams having a 2-1 record. BCHS has an overall record of 12-5 on the season including the win over Oglethorpe County on Saturday night.

"It is not often our team gets to play the #1 team in the state so this is a special win,” Coach Jerry King said. “We showed great team effort to be down 12 to a team like Rabun and come back and win. It was great having all the support in our black out." [Full Story »] 

The Gainesville Times has named Coach Philip Jones "Coach of the Year" for his outstanding work with the Banks County football team during this first year with the varsity program.

“It is an honor, but primarily as a reflection on my staff, our players, and the administration here at Banks,” Coach Jones said on being named. “I am fortunate to be surrounded by talented people who work hard without worrying about earning the credit. It is a great credit to the total program.”

The Leopards earned seven wins in the regular season, including a 4-1 sub-region record, enough to take home the 7-AA sub-region title, playing for the region title and a berth in the Class AA playoffs for the first time since 2008 and only the second time since 1997.

“To win a sub-region like that, and do it in our first year was exciting,” Jones said. “I think we’ve set up a good foundation for the future.”

And now Coach Jones and the Leopards must turn their focus to next season, a year in which Banks County will be competing in the AAA classification.

“All of our players have begun lifting weights and improving their agility daily in their weight training class,” Jones said. “Most of our players are participating in winter sports which means they are staying in shape and continuing to compete. AAA will be a renewed challenge, but one that we are willing to accept. We are primarily interested in doing all we can to continue to improve and be the best team we can be.”