The Jackson County Panthers are still searching for their first win of the new year this week, as well as looking to gain some ground in region play after dropping games last week to Mountain View and Hart County.
The Panthers will play host to Stephens County Friday night at the Pit. The Indians enter play this week 1-6 in the region and 3-14 overall. The Panthers won in their last meeting back on Dec. 11, 59-47.
Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
Mountain View
Last Tuesday, the Panthers traveled to Lawrenceville to face the Bears of Mountain View.
Things did not start well for the Panthers, who were held to six points in the first quarter while Mountain View moved out to a 19-6 lead. Jackson County would rebound to score 19 points in the second quarter, but the Bears scored 19 as well, giving them a 28-25 lead going into the half.
The Panthers would try to close in the third quarter, but couldn’t close the gap as Mountain View maintained a 12-point advantage, 51-39, at the end of the third. The Bears would pull out to a 19-point difference before the final buzzer, winning 74-55.
Juice Harrison led the Panthers in scoring with 18 points. Joseph Smith scored 12. Jarvis Shaw scored nine.
“We did not play well,” said coach Britt Beaver. “(We) did not shoot the ball very well. Juice did a great job anytime we got the ball inside to him. He shoots 60 percent or better every night out and usually averages a double double. He has been very solid this season. Hopefully our shots will begin to fall.”
Hart County
Next up was a trip to Hart County to face the Bulldogs.
Hart County jumped out to an early lead, while the Panthers stayed within shouting distance, 29-17 at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs then held Jackson County to eight points while they added another 15 to their lead in the second to carry a 44-25 lead into the half.
Jackson County began working to mount a charge in the third quarter, adding 13 points to their total while the Bulldogs scored 17 to make it a 61-38 ballgame at the end of the third. The Panthers again tried to mount a comeback in the fourth, but came up short as Hart County won 78-62.
Joseph Smith led in scoring against the Bulldogs with 16 points. Alex Crawford and Juice Harrison scored 12 each. Jarvis Shaw scored 11.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald or The Braselton News.
