Lady Leopards end season in fall to Rabun

Banks County girls’ basketball season ended in the first round of the region tournament last week as the Lady Leopards fell to the north number one Rabun County.

Rabun County is one of the best teams in the state with a 23-1 record, according to Banks coach Jerry King.

“We hung around early hitting our first twelve free-throws,” said King. “Their press wore us down.”

Banks County has had trouble hitting free-throws throughout the season, and King said that the early scoring from the line was a pleasant improvement for the Lady Leopards.


However, the Rabun County shooters came loaded and by the half had secured a 43-22 lead.

Banks wasn’t going down without a fight, as the Lady Leopards outscored Rabun throughout the third quarter and for half of the final period. Rabun caught a break in the final minutes, scoring several and extending the lead out to 27 points and out of reach for Banks.

“If we hadn't lost as many close ball games as we did [during the season], we wouldn't have been in the position to have to beat a team like Rabun to make state,” King said. “Winning close games will be a focal point next year.”

Against Rabun, Madison Franklin led the scoring with 21 points, followed by Deasha Beasley with 11 and Morgan Cox with 10. The Lady Leopards end the 09-10 season 8-18 overall.

For more on the Lady Leopards, see this week's The Banks County News.