Canes Earn Additional Region Wins

Head Coach Chris Pennamon will admit that Friday’s win for his Jasper County-Monticello High School varsity boys basketball team against Dodge County on the road was not pretty.

The coach will also tell you that a “win is a win.”

The Hurricanes took a 35-26 victory against Dodge County on the road to add another region win to its season total. Landon Bonner paced the team with 18 points.

“It was a win and that’s about all we can say,” Pennamon said. “We didn’t have many bright spots. We played decent in first half but only scored three points in third quarter. We held on to win but we are trying to get the players to understand they don’t have rush things. We just need to do what we have worked on.”

It was the first game action for the team in several days as all players and coaches were quarantined for COVID-19 concerns.

“It was tough going in not knowing who we were going to have,” Pennamon said. “We are trying to get some players back in shape and prepare for our opponent. We’ve had to do a lot of shuffling. We were able to make it through. A win is a win.”

After thinking through the contest, the Hurricane coach said another positive was the fact his team got to play again.

With there being no region tournament this season, the top four teams will advance to the Class AA state tournament.

“That’s why you have to beat the teams that you are supposed to beat and then try to compete with those who are favored to beat you,” Pennamon said.

The Canes hosted region foe Washington County, the number three team in the state, on Saturday falling 54-41. Bonner led the team again with 24 points.

“The score does not show how close the game was,” Pennamon said. “We are getting better. We got caught up in some things that we didn’t need to get caught up in. The game was still close mid-way through the fourth quarter. Washington County is certainly a good team but when we play together, we are one of the top teams in the region.”

Having only one player in double figures for both games hurt the team, the coach said.

Keon Maddox, who typically finishes in double figures and is the team’s top rebounder, did not play last weekend.

The Hurricanes rebounded with a key 64-50 win against Bleckley County and are now 3-2 in region play.

“We played good defense at times,” Pennamon said. “We had a double-digit lead at halftime but they fought back.”

Geralynn Benton’s defense and energy in the fourth quarter gave the team a needed boost, the coach said.

Jacarian Grier was also a factor in the win on the boards and helping break the press.

Bonner, a freshman, continued his standout season with 30 points. Cedrion Stone added 11 and Austin Cumbess finished with nine.

The Canes will travel to Lamar County on Friday, Jan. 22 for a 7:30 p.m. region contest before hosting Putnam County on Saturday, Jan. 23 for Senior Night at 7:30 p.m.

Fans can purchase tickets for the Putnam game on GoFan.com due to the limited seating at JCHS gymnasium. Tickets will be on sale at the gate on a limited basis until capacity of the gym is filled.

“Our motto is win or go home,” Pennamon said. “