Leopards fall to 1-2 after 84-59 defeat

Banks County tried to battle back in the third quarter, cutting into the deficit, but for every basket the Leopards made the Raiders were able to respond. The final minutes were back to the two teams trading points as Habersham outscored the Leopards by four points in the final quarter for the 84-59 win.

Leading the team was Quintin Lovelace, scoring 16 points, followed by Jacob Blalock and Hiten with 12 apiece. Other scorers: Taylor Foster 6 points; Clayton Martin, 6 points; Daz Steeple, 4 points; Harrison Dale, 2 points; and Jonah Thomas, 1 point.

This weekend, Banks County takes on two rivals and cross-region opponents. Friday, the Leopards host East Jackson at 8:30 p.m. following the girls’ game. The Eagles defeated Banks County in six of the past seven meetings, with the last win for the Leopards coming in a 61-54 game last February. Coach Mike Ruth and the Leopards look to change that this year with a home court win. East Jackson is coming off a 44-37 loss to Apalachee Tuesday night.

Following the Eagles on Friday night, Banks County will host the Jackson County Panthers Saturday.

While the Panthers won the last meeting between the teams last January, the Leopards are 2-2 in the past four games and look to take the lead in the rivalry this week.
Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Due to subdivided region play, the games will not affect the Leopards’ region standing, but will give them the opportunity to see what East Jackson and Jackson County have for later in the region tournament.