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— www.MainStreetNewsSports.com —
December 25, 2008
The Banks County News
Justin Poole, Sports Editor
706-367-2348, direct line
706-387-5418, FAX
justin@mainstreetnews.com
BCHS WRESTLING
Mat Leopards take second at Morgan County Tournament, 7-1 in duals
BY JUSTIN POOLE
The Banks County Mat Leopards have
already wrestled in eight dual meets and
two tournaments this season and are hold
ing onto a 7-1 dual meet record.
Banks County dropped a match to
White County, but has come out on top
over other opponents including Stephens
County, Franklin County, Madison
County, Winder-Barrow, Oconee County
and Dawson County.
This past weekend at the Morgan
County Christmas Tournament Banks
placed second behind wrestling power
house Jefferson. Jefferson took first place
scoring 315, Banks edged out Morgan
County for the second seat scoring 214
over Morgan’s 209.5.
According to coach Kasey Hanley, the
seniors did very well at the tournament,
but he was pleased that with the perfor
mance from all the wrestlers.
Banks had multiple medal winners
including four grapplers to make it to the
finals.
Demetric Dempson took first place in
171 lbs.; Paul Newel, 152 lbs. placed sec
ond; Matthew Patton placed second in 215
lbs. and Tramane Mayfield placed second
in heavyweight.
Third place winners for the Banks team
include: Homer Carver, 119; Cody Turner,
See Wrestling on page 3B
BCHS BASKETBALL
LOOKING FOR A PASS
Lauren Kennedy looks for a pass during the first round of the
Piedmont College tourney. Photo by Justin Poole
BCHS 9-2 before holiday break
BY JUSTIN POOLE
The Banks County High School Leopards
are entering into the Christmas break with
a 9-2 overall record.
Last weekend the Leopards were in
Demorest competing in Piedmont College’s
second annual Christmas Invitational
Tourney.
After a first round win over Stephens
County followed by a fourth quarter
shocker against Habersham, the Leopards
picked up a second place spot in the tour
nament.
When the Leopards return from the holi
days, the first challenger will be Riverside
Military on Jan. 7. Banks hosts the boys
only games with the JV team playing at
4 p.m. followed with the varsity game at
6 p.m.
The Wednesday games will begin the
make or break portion of the Leopards’
season as the team prepares for the coming
sub-region contests.
Coach Mike Ruth said that the team has
the potential to win at least five games
after the Christmas break. Last year the
Leopards only picked up two games after
Christmas and arc hoping to not repeat that
performance. According to Ruth, if the
team can stay focused and on track, Banks
can win a lot more than two games.
In the first round of the Piedmont College
tourney, Banks faced Stephens County.
The Leopards advanced to the final round
after defeating Stephens 85-70.
Both teams got into double digits in
the first quarter. Banks took a one-point
lead to end the quarter 19-18. Amid the
Stephens County surge in the second quar
ter. a technical on Banks and the Indians
outscoring the Leopards, only three points
separated the teams at the half.
Stephens had the advantage 42-39 enter
ing into the third quarter, but a sweet
lay-up from Kasey Hudgins started the
quarter in Banks’ favor. Banks picked up
23 points over Stephens’ 13 to retake the
lead 62-55.
In the final eight minutes, Stephens
added 15 to the board and was fighting to
survive as the Leopards continued to rack
up another 23 points.
Possibly one of the greatest game
moments came when junior Chase Armour
passed on a chance to break a school
record for most three-pointers in a single
game. Armour made seven three-pointers
during Friday’s game to tie the current
record, but opted to pass the ball. Ruth
said that after the game was over he found
out Armour wanted to give a senior team
mate, Ryan Griffin, the chance to break the
record first, since Armour still has another
year to play.
Despite not breaking the school record,
Armour played an outstanding game on
Lady Leopards Beat White Co. at Piedmont
BY JUSTIN POOLE
Banks County’s Lady
Leopards picked up a third
place finish over the week
end at the Piedmont College
Christmas Invitational.
After dropping the first
round to Stephens County
on Friday afternoon, the
ladies came back to defeat
White County 42-30.
So far this season, the
ladies are 5-7 in all games
and winless in region com
petition.
After the holiday break,
the Lady Leopards will
return to the court to face
Union County on Jan. 9.
Going on the road for the
first game of the 2009 cal
endar year, the ladies will
look to upset the 6-1 team
which has won the past four
games between the schools.
Game time is scheduled for
7 p.m. at Union County.
Over the weekend,
Banks took a short drive
to Habersham County to
play in the second annu
al Piedmont College
Invitational. The tourna
ment allows the teams
from Stephens County,
Habersham County, Banks
County and White County
a chance to compete against
different northeast Georgia
schools.
In the first round, Banks
drew Stephens County,
coming in as 5-1 overall,
and undefeated so far in the
8-AAA region. Stephens
County took a 53-28 win
over the Lady Leopards.
Stephens County won the
tip and was first on the
board after a free throw.
At the end of the first peri
od, Stephens led by five,
8-3 over Banks. The Lady
Leopards showed good ball
control in the first eight
minutes and kept the ball
from Stephens as Banks
moved the ball around the
outside of the lane.
Stephens County adapted
to Bank’s style and leaped
ahead in the second period.
By the end of the half,
Banks was trailing 7-29.
After picking up 10
points in the third period,
Banks still had a long row
to plow as Stephens added
See Lady Leopards on 3B
GOOD FROM THE LINE
Chase Armour adds one point to the board after a free throw during Friday’s
game against Stephens County. Armour totaled 41 points on Friday.
Photo by Justin Poole
Friday. Leading the scorers with 41 points,
Armour also picked up eight steals and 10
rebounds.
Quintin Lovelace was the second lead
ing scorer with 11 points and six rebounds.
Kane Duncan and Kevin Daniel each
added 10 points to the board for Banks.
Duncan also totaled six rebounds and 10
See Basketball on page 3B