LaPatrick Marshall

Nick Banks (right) talks to his brother Eren (left) during a timeout of a home game last season. CONTRIBUTED

Banks makes difference for War Eagles hoops

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Nick Banks grew up in Eatonton as a basketball player, hoping to reap the benefits of his skills. Whether it was continuing to play in college or being a coach, Banks wanted to be involved with the game.

Malik Thornton (class of 2022) drives the ball inside the paint against Deontay White (class of '17). TREY NORRIS/Staff

Putnam County holds alumni basketball game

Lance McCurley

Thursday, July 20, 2023

The Putnam County High School basketball program hosted two alumni games on Sunday, July 16. The event occurred at the Eagles Nest at PCHS, with a great turnout of former War Eagles returning. Both the men’s and women’s games came down to the wire with the scores being close.

Messiah Walker (11) at the top of the key defending a Toombs County player in the first round of the 2022-23 Class AA state playoffs. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagle boys make transition to summer league

Lance McCurley

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Following a buzzer-beater loss in overtime during the Sweet 16 round of the Class AA state playoffs against Dodge County in March, Putnam County has been working hard to get back on the court.

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

Lance McCurley

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

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.

Senior Eren Banks (1) drives the lane against a Toombs County defender in the War Eagles’ first-round win last Tuesday. ARELLA CASH/Staff

War Eagles fall to Dodge County in double OT thriller

Lance McCurley

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Putnam County’s season could not have ended in a more dramatic, though disappointing way. In the second round of the Class AA state playoffs, Dodge County edged out the War Eagles 85-82 in double overtime as Heaven Carson nailed a 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left.

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

Lance McCurley

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

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.

Putnam County point guard Keyni Crawford (4) pulls up for a 3-pointer in the second quarter of the War Eagles' 52-41 win over Butler in the Region 4-AA semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 16. He scored a game-high 19 points as Putnam County advances to the final against Westside (Augusta) on Friday. BRENDAN KOERNER/Staff

Crawford steps up to lead War Eagles past Butler

Lance McCurley

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Putnam County senior Keyni Crawford scored a team-high 19 points, leading the War Eagles to a 52-41 victory over Butler in the Region 4-AA tournament semifinals. In the Class AA top 10 clash, Crawford stepped up when leading scorer, Eren Banks, got into foul trouble early on.

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

Lance McCurley

Thursday, February 16, 2023

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

War Eagles split games with Hawks, Bulldogs

Lance McCurley

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

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 get payback over top-ranked Westside

Lance McCurley

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

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).

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