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PAGE 2B - THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2007 Eagles Win 2, Await Rematch With Panthers East Jackson junior Zach Gilbert scored eight points, and had six rebounds against West Forsyth, as the Eagles defeated the Wolverines 51-34. Photo by Brandon Reed Panther Runners Tapped For All Region Accolades By Brandon Reed The East Jackson Eagles came out swinging last week, looking to rebound from a disappointing loss to the Jackson County Pan thers. They did just that, as they defeated both Oglethorpe County and West Forsyth. The run started with a home stand against the Patriots. East Jackson jumped out to an early lead. Oglethorpe battled back, staying close through the first half. The two teams ex changed leads, but in the fourth quarter, the Eagles pulled away to a 74-61 victory. “We really played better offen sively, as far as distributing the ball,” said Coach Brian Turner. “That was one thing that we had talked about after our loss Sat urday (to Jackson County). We were forcing too many shots. I don’t think we were actually play ing selfishly, but it seemed that way. Against Oglethorpe, we had 21 assists. I think we got a little more continuity as far as the of fense goes, as far as looking for the open man and taking the open shot, and not forcing quite as many.” Four players hit double digits in scoring, with Kolby Gilbert leading with 16 points. Brandon Rucker scored 15, Standrick Ste vens 12, and Zak Pearson 11. Terry Cox added nine, Zach Gil bert four, Cody Gibbs three, and Klint Kesler and Tory Lamb each scored two. Gilbert and Pearson had seven rebounds apiece and Stevens had four assists. Turner said he was pleased that several of his players stepped for ward, especially with the loss of freshman Brandon Garrett, who may be out up to two weeks due to a broken hand. “We were looking for some scoring, and we found it,” Turner said . Next up was a rematch with the Wolverines of West Forsyth in Cumming Saturday. Just as they had before, the Eagles came home with a victory, this time win ning 51-34. In the first quarter, the Eagles built a 16-5 lead, but the Wolver ines fought back to take the lead 25-24 going into the half. In the second, East Jackson’s defense surrendered only nine points, leading to the Eagles’ victory. “A lot of it was our pressure,” Turner said. “We had a good ro tation going with people staying fresh and staying in the game, and people doing their job. I thought that was key for us.” Rucker led in scoring, with 13 points. Pearson scored nine, while Kolby Gilbert and Zach Gilbert scored eight each. Terry Cox add ed five, Stevens four, and Taylor Boswell and Tory Lamb scored two apiece. Pearson led the team in rebounds with ten, and Stevens had the most assists with four. Turner says his team has been balanced, scoringwise. “We had ten people score in the game,” he said. “That’s really what we’re about. We don’t have the player that can score 20 or 30 points a game, night in and night out, but we have four or five right there at double figures every night. After Tuesday’s game, we focused back on our defense for Saturday. We really came out hard on de fense, forcing some turnovers.” With the two victories, the Ea gles now find themselves with a 4-2 record, having lost only to the Panthers and to the undefeated North Oconee Titans. Turner says this is a good start to the inaugural season for East Jackson. “Of course, we want to win every game. Really, the loss Sat urday to Jackson County might have been the best thing that hap pened to us. I think it showed our kids that we have a lot of work to do if we want to be as good as we think we can be by the end of the season, when region play gets here. We’ve got to work for it. Maybe that loss woke us up a little bit. We’ve had some good practices, and I expect this week to be a good week as well.” On Friday, the Eagles will travel to Stephens County to face the In dians. Turner says he expects to face an athletic team. “They’ve got off to a rough start, but they’re Stephens County, they’re going to be athletic,” Turn er said. “We know that. They’ve always got athletes up there. We’re going to have to go up there and play well.” Then on Saturday, East Jackson makes the trip to Jefferson for a rematch against the Panthers. “Hopefully we’ll play them a little better, and keep them off the free- throw line this time,” Turner said. “We’ll see what happens when we go over there.” Several East Jackson runners have been named to the 8-AA Cross Country All Region teams for 2007. For the boys, Kevin Kesler was named to the first team, while Andy Van Deventer, Eric Van Deventer and Josh Kesler were named to the second team. Brandon Banks was named to the third team. For the girls, Sherri Blalock was named to the first team, while Jamie Dove was named to the second team, and Alexis Cont. from Page 1B right along. We’ve just got to con tinue to get better, and continue to drill these fundamentals with these guys, and just keep work ing at it.” Caputo says he’s seeing good work from many of his athletes. “Justin Griffin has been doing a real good job, he’s a junior,” Caputo said. “He’s done real well for us. Luis Verduzco is do ing well for us also. John Law rence has, as a first year wres tler, been doing a jam up job for us. The guys are really starting to do a good job.” Caputo says he’s happy with Powell to the third team. “I am proud of all of the folks that competed for East Jack son this first season,” said East Jackson head cross-country coach Bob Roller. “The honor for those that made the 8-AA All Region Team is well de served for the hard work they put forth throughout the fall. Coach (Carly) Parr and I are proud to be Eagles, and we are surrounded by a great group of kids and supporters of the pro gram.” the improvement his athletes are showing. “I’m pleased with how well we’re progressing,” he said. “Of course, I’m never going to be satisfied. We’re really pleased with how the kids are starting to come around, and some of the younger kids are really starting to get better.” The Eagles were scheduled to take on Banks and Stephens counties at Banks County Tues day afternoon. Results were unavailable at press time. East Jackson will next play host to Blessed Trinity Friday. Honor a Loved One With A Commerce Library Brick The Commerce Public Library is selling bricks to be engraved in honor of or in memory of your loved ones. The cost is $50. The bricks will be used in the upcoming library expansion, and the proceeds will help pay for the expansion. Printing on the brick is limited to three lines of 13 spaces each (including letters, punctuation and spaces). For information, call 706-335-5946 — Wrestlers Are Improving