The Banks County Lady Leopards defeated East Jackson and fell to Jackson County last week.
Referring to poor shot selection, coach Jerry King said that the Lady Leopards still have some development before getting into the majority of sub-region play after the Christmas break.
Still ahead this week, the Banks County girls host Fannin County, the team’s first real test in sub-region play. The Lady Leopards look to break a seven-game losing streak to the Lady Rebels.
In the last meeting between the teams, Fannin County took the win 62-32. So far this season, Fannin County is 6-0 while the Lady Leopards are 3-2. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. at the high school gym.
“We need to develop our shooting game. We are not shooting well right now, but I have confidence that we will improve,” King said.
With the first sub-region test over after Friday, Banks County rematches against Jackson County Saturday on the road. Saturday’s game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys’ game following. Last week, the girls fell 42-29 to the Lady Panthers.
In last Friday’s 46-26 victory over East Jackson, Banks County started off trailing to East Jackson 9-8 after the first period. Deasha Beasley and Taylor Kennedy pushed the team into the lead during the second period. At the break, Banks led 15-11.
East Jackson’s hope for a third quarter turnaround was crushed as Banks County outscored the Lady Eagles 12-7. In the final period, Madison Franklin and McKenna Rylee went to the line for the Lady Leopards and delivered a combined five points from the free-throw line.
“We do a good job of getting good shots to take and getting to the foul line,” said King.
During Friday’s game, Banks County went 11 for 18 from the line with Rylee hitting two for two, Franklin made three of five, Beasley put in five out of seven attempts and Laura Pickens one of two.
Behind the paint, Beasley, Franklin and Rylee each put in a three pointer to contribute to the win.
In the loss to Jackson County, the Lady Leopards never recovered from a 10-point deficit following the first period, 15-5.
Even in defeat, King said that the girls played well.
I thought we played our best half court defense so far Saturday,” he said. “We are trying to get better at transition and full court pressure. We also need to improve on developing an offensive rhythm.”
In the fourth period, several Banks County shooters found the hole and the team put up 17 points. After the first three periods the Lady Leopards were trailing 28-12.
The Lady Leopards hit eight of 17 free throws.
Banks County played on the road earlier this week in the Dec. 7 game with Oglethorpe. Individual scoring will be in next week’s Banks County News from the girls’ 55-15 victory over the Lady Patriots.
