Lady Leopards Leapt: Lady Rebels Ride Away with Win, 70-62; Boys Bough up but Banks Beats Back, Fannin Falls, 69-52

Featured Stories

The Fannin County High School Rebels basketball teams traveled to Banks County to take on the Leopards. The Lady Rebels were victorious, in a curiously called contest, where the referees ruffled the feathers of both fan bases. The Lady Rebels escaped with a 70-62 win, despite only hitting one fourth quarter field goal. The male Rebels were rebelliously trying to avenge and earlier defeat; however Fannin fell 69-52.The Lady Rebels battled back and forth with Banks throughout the first quarter. The Lady Leopards longed to press, which forced Fannin pass the ball and find the open woman for open shots. Ashlee Ellison’s first two free throws gave Fannin its first lead. The Lady Leopards clawed back, tying the game at 6-6 and a gain at 8-8. Hope Cochran’s “And 1” put back, after getting slapped about the head like she owed money, made the score 12-11 in the Fannin’s favor.

(Photo by LT Melton)

With 2:01 left in the first quarter, Banks was already in the bonus shooting “1 and 1,” however Fannin finished the first with a 5-0 run over the last 1:48, resulting in a Rebel ladies’ lead 17-11 at the end of the period. Fannin’s foul count was eight, while the home team had two.

Fannin’s, Morgan Chastain, opened the second quarter with a three, that was quickly answered by a second chance Banks bucket, making the score 20-13. With just over four minutes left in the half, Mallory Arp’s three pointer was answered immediately by Banks, making the score 27-20.

Cochran’s single free throw followed by a Chastain steal that led to a Logan O’Neal three saw the Fannin faithful cheering an 11 point lead, but a Banks bucket cut the lead back to single digits. Fannin led by 12, 37-25, at the half.

After an opening Banks basket, Taylor scored two quick baskets in a row, the second of which came via an assist from Ashley Ellison after her steal. After a Cochran put back basket the Lady Rebels let 43-27 with less than five minutes left in the third. Fannin finished the third leading the Lady Leopards, 54-37.

A combination of Banks’ pressing harder than tattoo artists forcing turnovers, and Fannin’s recklessness with the ball, allowed the Lady Leopards, to cut the lead from 17 to seven, 56-49, with 4:24 left in the game.

Fannin fanned the flames of Banks’ come back attempt with an indescribable lack of field goals. Fannin’s first fourth quarter field goal came with 1:40 left in the game, when Mallory Arp connected on a short jumper. Both teams being in the double bonus, the Lady Rebels were able to sink 12 fourth quarter free throws to secure an eight point 70-62 victory.

The Fannin fellows were not as fortunate as the Lady Rebels, despite playing an overall better game than the first match up. Fannin’s, Jonathan Vecchio, drew first blood, but Banks answered with a jumper tying the game at two.

The Leopards leapt into the press immediately forcing Fannin into numerous turnovers to take a 10-4 lead, resulting in a Rebels time out. Banks continued to roll over the Rebels in the first, including a thunderous period ending buzzer beating Banks dunk. The Leopards led 21-7.

Rebels Defending the In Bounds (L-R) #30 Jonathan Vecchio, #10 Will Mason, #11 Luke Adams
(Photo by LT Melton)

The rowdy Rebels “would not go quietly into that good night”, as Fannin forced the Leopards to endure a cat fight throughout the second quarter. Luke Adams’ repeated Rebels penetrations, combined with Jason Arp’s outside shooting, and Vecchio’s tenacious work on the boards saw the Rebels right at the same 14 point deficit at half, 37-23.

Arp’s three pointer opened the scoring in the second half; however Banks answered in kind. Another Arp three pointer cut the Banks lead to 42-31 with 6:12 in the third. The Rebels cut the lead to 11, with a Will Mason three, with 4:25 left in the third, but entered the fourth down 54-38.

The Rebels eventually lost 69-52. The game, much like the contest previously, featured more than a few strange decisions by the referees. A distinct lack in the continuity of the calls led to booing on both sides of the gym, and Rebels’ head coach, Scott Eggelston to become visibly upset by a plethora of the aforementioned curious calls.

JV Rebels in Action (Photo by LT Melton)
WordPress plugin



Back to Top