About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 4, 2012)
— www.MainStreetNewsSports.com — Section B January 4, 2012 The Banks County News BASKETBALL Boys go 1-2 in holiday tourney GOES FOR A BASKET Jonah Thomas leaps for a basket against Newton County. CANNON GOES FOR A SCORE Greg Cannon fires one from the out side. SCORES 27 Clayton Martin scored 27 points in the three-game tournament. Photos by Randy Crump BY RANDY CRUMP The Banks County varsity boys’ basketball Leopards went 1-2 competing in the Wing Slinger Holiday Bash last week. The varsity team played in the final action of 2011 portion of the schedule. The Leopards are 5-8 overall and 1-0 in the region. Banks County lined up to compete against Hebron Christian Academy, River Ridge and Newton County on one side of the boys bracket. Loganville, Athens Academy, Stephens County and East Jackson were on the other side of the boys bracket. The Leopards took on Hebron Christian Academy in the first round of the tournament. BCHS won the contest 60-49. Four Leopard players scored in the double digits for the win. Taylor Foster scored 15 points, Jonah Thomas 12 points, Clayton Martin 11 points and Jacob Blalock scored five points. “Having four players in double figures is a huge boost for us,” said head coach Mike Cleveland. In round two, the Leopards were matched up with AAAAA Newton County. The first period was a battle of defense as both teams struggled to put points on the board. The Leopards sank three baskets and the Rams hit a couple three point plays and scored on the foul line for 12 points to lead at the end of the period. The second period was much of the same with neither team exploding for a big score. The Rams were able to score 24 points and take a lead over the Leopards in the third. The fourth period started and the Leopards gained some ground pulling within eight points late in the period ending with a loss 57-45. Clayton Martin scored 14 points, Adam Hiten 11 points, Brenton Ruark 10 points. Taylor Foster five points, Jonah Thomas three points and Jacob Blalock two points. “Newton County is probably the most athletic team we will see this year,” Cleveland said. “I was proud of how our guys fought.” Third round action pitted the Leopards against Athens Academy. The six-point lead by the Spartans in the first would be key to the win over the Leopards 68-58. The first period action for the Leopards gave them 10 points and the Spartans scored 16 points. The Leopards matched the Spartans in the second period with 16 points as the half ended. The third period was a low scoring effort for both teams as the Spartans came out on top 8-6 and the fourth period gave Athens Academy two more points to best BCHS by 10 points in the game. BCHS was 20 of 61 field goals for 58 points, 16 of 42 two point shots, 4 of 19 from three point range and had 10 assists with 33 rebounds, eight offensive and 25 defensive. The Leopards turned the ball over 19 times with 11 steals and committed 28 personal fouls. “Free throw’s really hurt us in this game,” Cleveland said. “We got to the line 33 times, but only made 14 for a .424 percent average. Taylor Foster led us in scoring with 19 points, Hiten had 14 points, and Ruark had 12 points. Brenton is really starting to play well for us. I am expecting big things from him the 2nd half of the year. Adam Hiten was named to the Wing Slinger All Tournament Team. Adam is also playing well after suffering an ankle sprain several weeks ago. Gatlin Boswell was named to the Piedmont Holiday Classic all tournament team last week.” The Leopards return to play on January 6 at East Jackson, 7 at East Hall and return home for a game against Rabun on the 10. The team would like everyone to participate in a blackout at the game against Rabun County on Jan. 10. WRESTLING TAKES SECOND Cade Ridley pins his opponent on his way to finishing in second place in two different weight classes at the Jefferson New Years Classic. Photos by David Wood PINS OPPONENT Lucious Bowden runs a Bulldog on his opponent just before pinning him, helping Banks County Little Kids place third in the New Years Classic. Football banquet takes place Sunday The Banks County High School Football Team will have its banquet at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at The Grove Baptist Church in Maysville. Dinner plates are $7 and can be paid at the door (This excludes play ers, cheerleaders, coaches and spe cial guests).
