Leopards earn number three seed, set for playoffs

It will be a three-hour bus ride for the Diamond Leopards Thursday as the team heads to Summerville to face Chattooga in the state tournament.

Spirits are high as Banks County makes the return to the state playoffs.

“It will be a bit of a ride for us, but we'll be up to the challenge,” said Leopards’ coach Joe Lord. “We are excited to be back in the state tournament for the second year in a row.”


Chattooga is the number two seed from 7-AA, with a 17-5 region and 17-8 overall record. Banks took the number three seed after last week’s final four region tournament. The Leopards are 10-6 region and 16-8 overall.

Looking at the numbers, Banks averages nine runs per game, slightly better than Chattooga’s average of eight and a half runs. Chattooga is better on paper in the defensive category allowing just over five runs per game, while the Leopards have allowed an average of seven runs.

“They have a good hitting team with a lot of speed,” said Lord. “It should be two good teams going at it. We are looking to play well and to advance.”

The doubleheader on Friday starts at 4:30 p.m. with game two scheduled for 7:30 p.m. If a third game is needed, the team to advance will be decided Saturday at 11 a.m.

Region Final Four

Banks County earned its spot in the state playoff tournament after a hard fought region tournament.

The Leopards played host to the final four teams in the 8-AA region last Thursday.

In the first game, Banks and rival Jefferson went at it with everything each team could muster. A few weeks earlier, Jefferson had swept Banks 19-0.

For more on this story see the May 6 edition of The Banks County News.