Landon Bonner

Eren Banks (1) was Putnam County’s leading scorer this past season, averaging over 20 points per game. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Eren Banks (1) was Putnam County’s leading scorer this past season, averaging over 20 points per game. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Three War Eagles earn All-Region honors

The Putnam County boys basketball team recently had three players earn All-Region 4-AA honors. War Eagle senior Eren Banks and junior Landon Bonner were named to the Region 4-AA First Team. Meanwhile, senior Keyni Crawford was named to the Region 4-AA Second Team.
Putnam County senior Eren Banks (1) lines up a free throw shot in a win over Butler last week in the Region 4-AA semifinals. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior Eren Banks (1) lines up a free throw shot in a win over Butler last week in the Region 4-AA semifinals. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles are 'hungry' as state playoffs begin

Putnam County boys basketball enters the Class AA state playoffs as a two-seed after falling to Westside (Augusta) 81-63 on Friday night in the Region 4-AA championship game. Now, the War Eagles (21-6) are set to face No. 3 seed Toombs County (20-8) in the first round of the playoffs.
Eren Banks (1) controls the tempo of the game and cuts through Glenn Hills defense. ARELLA CASH/Staff

Eren Banks (1) controls the tempo of the game and cuts through Glenn Hills defense. ARELLA CASH/Staff

War Eagles begin region tourney as No. 2 seed

Putnam County ended its regular season on a high note last week with two region wins. The No. 6-ranked War Eagles (20-5, 11-3 Region 4-AAA) closed with a pair of tune-up games against Glenn Hills (77-41) and Josey (95-43) before the start of the Region 4-AA tournament.
Senior Eren Banks (1) goes up for a layup against Washington County in last Tuesday’s win. ARELLA CASH/Staff

Senior Eren Banks (1) goes up for a layup against Washington County in last Tuesday’s win. ARELLA CASH/Staff

War Eagles split games with Hawks, Bulldogs

Putnam County boys’ basketball split games with Washington County and Thomson last week. The No. 6 War Eagles defeated the Golden Hawks 75-72 at home in a thriller on Tuesday’s Senior Night before falling to No. 9 Thomson 78-59 in a top-10 matchup on Saturday.
War Eagles’ guard Eren Banks (1) tries to use the baseline to his advantage during a Region 4-AA game against top-ranked Westside on Friday night. The senior finished with 23 points. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles’ guard Eren Banks (1) tries to use the baseline to his advantage during a Region 4-AA game against top-ranked Westside on Friday night. The senior finished with 23 points. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles get payback over top-ranked Westside

Putnam County’s duo of Eren Banks and Landon Bonner scored 23 points each on Friday to lead the No. 6 War Eagles in a 66-58 victory over No. 1-ranked Westside (Augusta).
Putnam County's Eren Banks (1) goes up for a layup. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County's Eren Banks (1) goes up for a layup. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles enter crucial stretch of region play

Putnam County boys’ basketball is having one of its best seasons in program history. The War Eagles are 16-3 overall and 7-1 in Region 4-AA play heading into the week, one of the most important of the season as they are riding a seven-game winning streak.
Keyni Crawford (4) brings the ball up the court against Hancock Central. ARELLA CASH/Staff

Keyni Crawford (4) brings the ball up the court against Hancock Central. ARELLA CASH/Staff

BASKETBALL: War Eagles gut out two wins to start season

The Putnam County boys’ basketball team started its 2022-23 season on a high note last week with two wins over Northside (Columbus) and Hancock Central. First, the War Eagles traveled to McDonough to defeat the Northside Patriots 68-61 at Union Grove High School on a neutral court.