The Lady Eagles of East Jackson hope to get the New Year off to a prosperous start this week as they host Banks County on Friday.
East Jackson starts the week out coming off a win and two losses in tournament play last week.
They’ll be looking to improve upon a 42-26 loss to the Lady Leopards back on Dec. 3.
Banks County also enters the week off of two losses and a win in tournament action. The Lady Leopards enter 2011 with a 6-8 overall record and are winless in region play.
The Eagles hope to snap a three-game losing streak to Banks County that dates back to Feb. 12, 2010.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Hancock Central
The Lady Eagles hosted the Wingslingers Holiday Bash last week. They opened on Tuesday against the Lady Bulldogs of Hancock Central.
East Jackson took the lead early, moving out to a 12-7 advantage by the end of the first quarter. Hancock County rallied to outscore the Lady Eagles 10-7 over the next eight minutes to cut the lead to two points, 19-17, by the half. By the end of the third period, the score was knotted at 25, but the Lady Eagles outscored Hancock 11-5 in the final quarter to earn the 36-30 victory.
LaShundra Gresham led the Lady Eagles with 16 points, while Caroline Hicks scored 13.
Cedar Shoals
On Wednesday, the Lady Eagles moved on to face Cedar Shoals.
It was a close game from the start, with the Lady Jags taking a slim early lead, 10-9, after one quarter. The Lady Eagles went on a 15-9 run in the second quarter to take a 24-19 advantage at the half.
Unfortunately, the Lady Jags had their own 14-4 run in the third quarter to go up 33-28.
The Lady Eagles fought back and held a one-point lead in the final seconds. But a last-second put-back at the buzzer for Cedar Shoals gave the Lady Jaguars the 42-41 victory.
Mackenzie Palette led the offense with 14 points. Hicks scored 11 and Gresham seven.
Sequoyah
East Jackson closed out tournament play with a Thursday matchup against the Sequoia Lady Chiefs.
Sequoia took a 14-9 lead in the first quarter, but East Jackson closed the gap to 23-21 at the half. The Lady Chiefs took control again in the third quarter, outscoring East Jackson 14-7 to take a 37-28 lead after three periods, then outscored the Eagles 17-14 over the final eight minutes to win 56-42.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Commerce News or The Jackson Herald.
