Putnam County got a 56-47 non-region win over Social Circle on Dec. 30. The Lady War Eagles improved to 11-2 as they now prepare for region play.
Kamyra Aikens (15 points), Jaikarccie Smith (12 points), and Journey Waller (12 points) led Putnam County in scoring. Aziyah Williams also added points in the win over the Lady Redskins.
First-year Putnam coach Derrick Arrington was pleased with the result at the Winter Classic Showcase.
“The tournament went well. It was also a good test,” Arrington said. “The team did a great job beating a solid Social Circle team. We had three girls score double digits. We played at a high tempo and high speed. We’re very athletic and will continue to play fast."
The Lady War Eagles jumped out to a 13-3 lead at the end of the first quarter but only led 19-15 at the half. A couple of turnovers and missed free throws hurt Putnam in the second period.
However, in the third quarter, the team made a few adjustments and outscored the Lady Redskins 17-12 as Aikens and Waller made a few clutch baskets to extend their team’s lead.
While each team scored 20 in the fourth quarter, the Lady War Eagles’ effort in the first and third periods proved to be huge in holding off Social Circle for a nine-point margin of victory.
Arrington’s squad will continue its Region 4-AA schedule this week against Westside-Augusta and Washington County at home. The Lady War Eagles are currently 1-1 in league play this year.
Arrington said his players are ready to continue their quest for a playoff berth but know that Laney, Josey, Butler, and Thomson are perennial contenders each year.
According to SandysSpiel. com, Thomson, Josey, and Butler are currently ranked No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 in Class 2A, respectively. Putnam will play each of these teams in the next few weeks.
“Those are all elite programs,” Arrington said. “We just want to be in the conversation is all.”
This week, Putnam County hosted Westside on Tuesday and will face Washington County for a 6 p.m. tip-off at the Eagles’ Nest on Friday. Next week, the Lady War Eagles will be at Thomson (Jan. 9) and host Glenn Hills (Jan. 12).