BC heads to region Area

Region newcomer Jackson County is also a threat as Banks County has already faced the Panthers several times during the season. The Panthers are used to tough competition from former AAA competition and will be on the hunt to make up for the defeat for runner up position in team duals in January. Banks County defeated Jackson County to finish in second behind Jefferson in the Area Team Duals and qualify for the State Duals which were rescheduled for Feb. 24-26.

“We have tough teams in our area, there are some weight classes where the top kids in the state are all in our area,” coach Kasey Hanley said. “I think it is possible in some weight classes, that the top four in the state could come from our area. It is a little sad because state is supposed to represent the best and our area is so tough that some very good wrestlers might not make it, because there are kids in our area that could be a state medalist and not even make it past the area tournament.”

Another team that the Leopards will look out for that tends to match up well against Banks County grapplers is Hart County. Hart County has had a good season this year and will not be a pushover.

East Jackson is another familiar opponent for the mat Leopards and while the Eagles might not have the extensive record of being a threat like Jefferson, are also not to be underestimated as the mats heat up to see who will dominate.

According to the most recent Class AA rankings, only two Region 8 schools make the top ten. Jefferson, comes in at the top of the list as the number ranked team while Banks County rounds out the list as number 10. Filling in the rest of the rankings in order are: Sonoraville, Lovett, Morgan County, Calhoun, Spencer, Dublin, Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC), and Blessed Trinity. The rankings were published in the New Southern Grappler newsletter and can be found on the GHSA website.