Canes Seeking First Win of Season

The Jasper County-Monticello High School varsity boys basketball team continues to learn as the new season progress.

The Hurricanes fell to Oconee County on the road 80-57 and to Social Circle High School last Friday 49-37, also on the road. Both games were non-region contests.

“Right now, we are still learning how to win,” coach Chris Pennamon said.

In the game with Oconee County, Landon Bonner led the team with 28 points while Marlerio Stone added 11 points and six rebounds.

“It just wasn’t a good night for us at all,” Pennamon said.

Austin Cumbess finished with eight points and Randy Williams had a big effort on the boards with eight rebounds against the Oconee County Warriors.

Three nights later Bonner also led the team with 20 points against SCHS with Keon Maddox scoring 11. Geralyn Benton was credited with a strong defensive effort.

“Our defensive game plan was solid,” Pennanon said. “Right now, we are not executing well enough on offense. We had too many missed layups and free throws. You won’t beat quality teams like that. Social Circle is Class A but they have already beaten some larger schools.”

The coach said his team held the Redskins’ top players to less than 10 points each.

“That should have resulted in a win,” Pennamon said. “We only scored two points in the second quarter and we didn’t close the game very well. That does go back to youth. Social Circle had very balanced scoring. They didn’t have a single player in double figures but almost every player who stepped on the floor scored points.”

The Hurricanes will face the Red Devils on Saturday. .

“We will look to get a win against Jackson,” Pennamon said. “We hope to use that to help carry us over into our first region game. We have a week to prepare. It is typically a good game when we play them. It will come down to execution.”

“There are no such things as early season losses,” Pennamon said. “There are early season wins and early season learning experiences.”