The Putnam County boys’ basketball team is off to a hot start this year, defeating two quality opponents in Union County and Hancock Central, largely due to solid play from senior combo guard Landon Bonner.
Bonner, the team’s secondleading scorer last year behind Eren Banks, is averaging 28.0 points through two games. He also scored his 1,000th career point against Hancock Central on Friday.
“We’ve got Landon Bonner coming back. He was our second-leading scorer last year. He was named Second-Team All-Region honors in the region and also Class 2A First-Team by Sandy Spiel,” Putnam coach LaPatrick Marshall said before the season. “We’re expecting big things from him.”
Bonner has delivered for the War Eagles and looks to continue doing so this season as a senior.
Putnam County traveled to Chestatee High School in Gainesville on Nov. 18 to face Union County in the season opener. The War Eagles battled back in the fourth quarter to come out on top, 73-70.
Bonner scored a team-high 34 points, with 19 of them coming in the fourth. The 6-foot-1 senior guard also totaled six rebounds, one assist, and two steals in the season-opening victory over the Panthers.
Putnam went on a 12-4 run during the middle of the fourth, cutting Union’s deficit to 63-58 with 4:02 left. The War Eagles then tied it two minutes later. Junior Rashod Daniel came up with a block and on the other end of the court, Bonner buried a triple, tying the game with the Panthers at 66-66.
Finally, Putnam took the lead at the 39-second mark as Bonner nailed a 3-pointer, giving his team a 71-70 lead. The War Eagles added another two points after that and won after trailing by 13.
Sophomore Jmari Greene added 14 points as he shot 50 percent from the field. Greene also grabbed six rebounds and five steals. Daniel tallied six points but came down with a season-high 10 boards.
“Rashod, who is coming over from football, is going to help us down low,” Marshall added. “He is going to probably lead us in rebounds when the season is over. He’s a force down low for our team.”
Last Friday, Putnam picked up its second win with a 69-65 decision over Hancock Central.
The War Eagles had three players reach double-digits, with Bonner leading the way with 22 points. Greene again followed with 11 points, but junior Jaylin Harper added 10 points in the win.
“He’s almost like a clone of Eren (Banks). His work ethic mirrors Eren’s,” Marshall said of Harper. “He’s always in the gym before practice getting extra shots. He’s also great in the classroom. He’s just that kind of guy. That’s what I love about this team. Even though we’ve lost so much, these kids have learned so much (from last year’s seniors) and have stepped into their roles.”
Putnam County will hit the hardwood again on Friday against Jasper County, which is Bonner’s former school. The War Eagles and Hurricanes are set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. in the Eagles’ Nest. They will then travel to Greensboro on Saturday to face Greene County for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.