THE JACKSON County boys gave coach Britt Beaver as good a three quarters of basketball as he could have asked.
His Panthers went stride-for-stride with subregion co-leader Elbert County Friday on the road before succumbing in the final quarter in a 65-44 loss. The Panthers were outscored 23-8 in that period.
“It’s unfortunate that it ended up being a 21-point game,” Beaver said.
Jackson County (4-11, 1-4) led 15-10 after the first quarter and found itself ahead late in the second before Elbert County took a 21-19 edge at the half. Jackson County trailed 42-36 at the end of three quarters.
But Beaver said his team became a little fatigued in the fourth.
“For about three-and-a-half quarters, we played really well,” Beaver said. “Then we got tired and went away from what we do.”
Jared Scott turned out another solid performance, earning a double-double with 18 points and 13 boards.
“I can’t say enough about him,” Beaver said. “He’s playing so consistent and so well.”
Richie Rodriguez, Kolin Zimmer and Xavier Harper each added six.
Jackson County is off until Saturday when it faces rival East Jackson.
