East Jackson hosts Talon Tip-Off Saturday

The need to learn quickly is apparent from the tough schedule the Eagles have this year.

East Jackson will start off this weekend’s Talon Tip-Off Classic by pairing off with AAAAA opponent Grayson, while other teams taking part will include Hart County, Monroe Area, Johnson, West Hall, North Hall and Pace Academy.

The Eagles’ season starts on Dec. 2 with a trip to face Stephens County. Other non-region opponents on the schedule for the season include Washington-Wilkes, Oconee County, and a December 23 game against North Hall at Phillips Arena in Atlanta, prior to an Atlanta Hawks game.

Region play starts for East Jackson on Dec. 9 with a trip to Gainesville to face Riverside Military Academy. It will be the only region game for the Eagles before the new year.

But along with a tough schedule comes a return of three of the team’s top four scorers. Standrick Stephens, Kolby Gilbert and Brandon Garrett will return to the lineup.

“We will lean on them again to do the bulk of our scoring,” Turner said. “However, we have several key players that can put some points up to help these three players out.”

Turner also pointed to the team’s senior leadership, which includes Stephens, Gilbert, Kaharie Beasley, Zach Gilbert, Terry Cox and Jackson Fischer.

With all that in their favor, East Jackson hopes to improve last year’s third place region finish by two places.