Time is running out on the Jackson County Panthers regular season, and the team is still hoping to add a few more wins to their record before it’s all over.
Last week didn’t go their way, as they lost to Hart County on Tuesday and to Oconee County on Friday.
The Panthers hope to pick up a win in their regular season finale on Friday, as they’ll play host to the Eastside Eagles.
Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
Hart County
On Tuesday, the Panthers traveled to Hart County to take on the number three Bulldogs, a team that had defeated them last month.
Things started out well for Jackson County, as they took a 16-12 lead in the first quarter. Things started to go downhill in the second quarter, as the Bulldogs held the Panthers to seven points while they added 25 to their total to take a 37-23 lead into the half.
Things didn’t get much better in the third quarter, as Jackson County picked up 11 points to Hart County’s 23, extending the lead to 60-34. The Panthers would end up on the short end of an 80-45 final score.
Joseph Smith led Jackson County in scoring with 10 points, while Nick Oney and Will Tallent had six each.
“We played with Hart for a quarter and then they took it from there,” coach Britt Beaver said. “We did not rebound well. We got into foul trouble early, and had to sit kids. It was a tough game on the road.”
Oconee County
Next up for the Panthers was a trip to Oconee County to face the Warriors in Watkinsville.
Jackson County again came out strong, taking a 15-13 lead in the first quarter. Oconee County came on strong as well, adding 15 points to their score to take the lead, but the Panthers hung in there, adding ten points of their own to make it 28-25 at the half.
The game stayed close through the fourth quarter, with Oconee County holding a slim advantage, 40-37, at the end of the quarter.
The Panthers tried to come back in the fourth quarter, but just couldn’t close the gap as the Warriors went on to win 52-47.
Joseph Smith led Jackson County in scoring with 32 points, going 10-10 from the free throw line.
Jonathan Holton scored seven points and had five rebounds, while Nick Oney scored six points.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald or The Braselton News.
