The Banks County Leopards held their annual basketball banquet on March 26 at The Grove Level Church in Maysville. The coaches, players and family members were in attendance as the awards were given for a successful basketball season.
Scholar athletes, Will Ledford, Gatlin Boswell, Graham White and Isaiah Smith, received a certificate for retaining an A average during the first semester of the school year.
Jonah Thomas worked hard all season long taking charges. Thomas set a new school record with 57 charges taken in the season. Coach Cleveland was so impressed he has started an new award in honor of Thomas's achievement this season called the Jonah Thomas Award and the first recipient of the award is Jonah Thomas.
Two Leopards made the All Region 8AA Basketball Second Team this year, Adam Hiten and Taylor Foster with Jonah Thomas as an Honorable Mention.
Three Leopards made the All Northeast Georgia Honorable Mention list, Adam Hiten, Taylor Foster and Jonah Thomas. Gatlin Boswell was named on the All Tournament team from Piedmont Holiday Classic and Adam Hiten was chosen from the East Jackson High School Wingslingers Tournament.
Every player and manager were given a certificate of participation. All of the boys varsity players received a certificate of letter.
"I like to thank all parents for their support of the basketball program and for planning and decorating the basketball banquet. Don Shubert for providing tables at the banquet and Grove Level Church for the use of their facilities. Our parents and fans were great this year," said Coach Mike Cleveland.
The basketball cheerleaders were given certificates and gift bags for their efforts this season. There were no seniors on the squad this year so they are looking forward to having the same bunch of girls come out for the squad next year.
Head coach Jerry King recognized the girls basketball players by grade and the players all received certificates for participation. Morgan Cox received the purple heart award for outstanding play. Taylor Kennedy received the Top Scholar Award for maintaining an A average.
Deasha Beasley was named to the All Region 8AA Basketball Team. Two Lady Leopards made the All Region 8AA Basketball Team as Honorable Mention this year, Taylor Kennedy and Kaitlyn Duncan. Lady Leopard, Madison Franklin made the North All Region Basketball Team. Beasley and Franklin were named by the Gainesville Times as All Area Team Honorary Mentions.
