A few days after losing to Grayson to open the Talon Tip-Off Tournament at home, the East Jackson Lady Eagles picked up their first win of the season over Johnson on Nov. 25, then lost a close game to North Hall on Nov. 29.
Now the Lady Eagles turn their attention to regular season play, as they prepare to host Oconee County on Friday. The Lady Warriors enter the contest with a 1-1 record prior to action on Tuesday, having scored 74 points overall, but having allowed 96 points to be scored against them. In their last pairing, Oconee County came away with a 55-45 win last Dec. 27.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Lady Eagles recorded their first win of the season, defeating Johnson 40-34 in the Talon Tip-Off.
The Lady Eagles took control early, leading 11-9 by the end of the first period. They extended the lead to 21-15 by the half, and continued to control the game by the end of the third quarter, 28-22. Johnson was able to close the gap to six points, but East Jackson held them at bay to take the win.
Autumn Wilbanks and Mikki McGinnis lead in scoring against the Lady Knights, recording nine points each. Bralee Griffin added eight points.
McGinnis led in rebounds with eight, while Caroline Hicks recorded six.
Shelby Johnson had four assists and six steals against Johnson and the team had 15 steals for the game.
Up next was a pairing with the Lady Trojans of North Hall in a game that went back and forth in each quarter.
East Jackson took a one-point lead, 20-19, by the half. North Hall came back to take a five-point lead, 36-31, by the end of the third period, and had to work hard to hold off East Jackson by the end, as the Lady Trojans won a squeaker 52-50.
Wilbanks again led the Lady Eagles in scoring with 24 points. Callie Moore recorded seven on the game. Kaitlin Hill, Moore and Hicks grabbed six rebounds each, while Terin Gillespie had three steals.
"The day before the game we made a lot of changes to our defensive scheme and I was extremely impressed with the girls’ ability to carry it over to the game,” said coach Amy Larimer. “I could not have asked any more of them on the defensive end of the court. It was an all-around team effort to contain an offensive-minded team such as North Hall.”
Larimer pointed to several players who contributed to the Lady Eagles’ strong showing.
“Autumn Wilbanks played a great game and really sparked us offensively down the stretch,” she said. “I saw different players step up and be real leaders throughout the game.
“I feel very optimistic about our improvement.”
East Jackson was scheduled to travel to Stephens County on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Results of that game were unavailable at press time.
