The Banks County mat Leopards earned a trip to Macon for the third year in a row, qualifying for the State Duals Tournament, this past weekend with a second place place finish at the Area Duals in Jefferson.
Northeast Georgia wrestling powerhouse Jefferson, took first at the Area Duals, while region newcomer Jackson County battled Banks County for the qualifying position, taking third.
Particular standouts from the area duals were Jordan Waters, at 119 lbs., who coach Kasey Hanley said had several good matches and has really been a good grappler all season for the Leopards, with a 24-3 record. Jeremy Greenway, wrestling at both 160 lbs. and 171 lbs., also had good matches at area helping push Banks County to the runner-up spot. Another standout wrestler Hanley complimented was Justin Fincannon at 135 lbs.
The runner-up finish at Jefferson automatically places Banks County in Sweet Sixteen for the State Duals.
In the first round, Banks County took a bye and was able to watch its first opponent Hart County, defeat East Hall. The Leopards and Hart County matched up well, and Hanley said Hart has been wrestling good all year. The Leopards earned the win, 64-14 over Hart and advanced into the semi-finals taking on Jackson County.
Jackson County was described by Hanley as being well, coached and just a “solid team” that came down to a chess match as Banks County swapped wrestlers around. It paid off as Banks County went ahead early, 24-0 and came away with a good 40-23 win over the Panthers.
In the finals, it was the Leopards and the Dragons as Jefferson looked to defend their Area title. Jefferson won 55-15, but Hanley said despite having it “handed to them by Jefferson” the Leopards didn’t roll over and wrestled hard.
“In our mind it seems like we have just been happy to make it to state, but this year our guys were mad to be beaten by Jefferson and really took the loss hard.”
Last year, Banks tied for ninth at the State Duals and according to Hanley had a little more know how under their belts.
“Last year realistically we were more experienced, and this year we start nine freshman and sophomores,” Hanley said. “But, hands down this is the hardest working team we have had. I think that has been the key to our success this year.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, and the Jan. 14-15, State Dual tourney, Hanley said that it is going to come down to who Banks County faces first. Though the schedule could change if winter weather continues to blow into the state. The first round for Banks County has not been announced and with school out Hanley is concerned about the loss of practice days.
UPDATED: The State Duals have been postponed until next month.
“I hope we seed well, because it depends how you get seeded sometimes,” he said. “It is a blind draw for who we will see first. Time will tell but there are tough teams out there and this year is very, very tough.”
Taking a glance into the future and the later traditional state tourney.
“We have tough teams in our area, there are some weight classes where the top kids in the state are all in our area,” Hanley said. “I think it is possible especially in the 112 weight class, that the top four in the state could come from our area. It is sad because state is supposed to represent the best and our area is so tough that they might not make it, because there are kids in our area that could be state medalist and not even make it past the area tournament.”
Mason Patton, Banks County’s 112 lbs., is one of the tough competitors that could have a shot at a state title later at the State Traditional Tournament in February.
