JACKSON County’s Katie Phillips turned out a career performance with 19 points and 11 boards while Danni Cunningham pulled down 19 rebounds to go with 14 points in a 57-56 road win Tuesday over Hart County.
The victory moves the Lady Panthers (8-13, 5-3) into third-place in 8-AA South. This is Jackson County’s second victory this year over Hart County.
Victoria Fontana chipped in 12 points while Mason Garland finished with 10.
“First night we have had four players in double figures,” coach John Hawley said, “and a great night for it to all come together.”
Jackson County, which has won five of its last seven games, plays Friday at Oglethorpe County and Tuesday at home against second-place Elbert County.
•East Jackson (girls) 47, Oglethorpe County 43: The Lady Eagles (4-16, 2-6) broke a seven-game losing streak with a home win over subregion foe Oglethorpe County.
Kelsey Palette led East Jackson with 18 points, while Kayla Thomas added 13. Taylor Patrick finished with eight points and 11 boards.
•North Oconee 48, Jefferson (girls) 32: Jefferson (9-11, 3-5) shot just 27 percent from the floor and 51 percent from the free throw line in a 16-point loss to subregion leader, North Oconee, Tuesday on the road.
Skylar Evanson led the Lady Dragons with 11 points, and Jakeia Wilson added six.
•Oglethorpe Co. 70, East Jackson (boys) 56: East Jackson remained winless in the subregion with a 14-point home loss to Oglethorpe County Tuesday.
Jarron Davis led the Eagles (4-16, 0-8) with 16 points, followed by Jake Grindle (15 points) and Casey Reed (13 points).
Coach Brian Turner said his team struggled defensively.
“We came out really lackadaisical,” he said.
•Hart Co. 70, Jackson Co. (boys) 54: Jared Scott paced the Panthers with 23 points on the road Tuesday against Hart County but it wasn’t enough to give the Panthers (5-13, 2-6) their third subregion win of the year.
Kevin Lineburger added 13 points.This was actually a close contest for much of the ball game with Jackson County trailing 32-29 after a half and 52-44 after three quarters. But Hart County stretched its lead out in the fourth after the Panthers were forced to foul.
“They are very athletic and shot it very well,” Jackson County coach Britt Beaver said.
