Banks vs. Walnut Grove to decide play-in round

Monday nights regular season closer wiped the slate for Banks County’s varsity boys, who now head to the region tournament play-in game against Walnut Grove on Thursday.

“It’s do or die,” said coach Mike Ruth. “The kids realize it and we have to bring our A game.”

Banks faces Walnut Grove at 4:30 p.m. in the play-in game at Oglethorpe on Thursday for a shot to advance to play the north subregion top seeded Riverside team on Friday.

If the Leopards can advance through to Friday’s game, the boys will play at 8:30 p.m. in Dawson County.

Before the Leopards can turn their attention to the possibility of facing Riverside and former teammate Kane Duncan, Banks County has to make it through the play-in round with Walnut Grove.

According to Ruth, while Walnut Grove does have a little bit bigger players, in terms of skill both teams are about as evenly matched as possible. In the first meeting between the teams in January, Banks took a 73-65 victory. In last week’s rematch, Walnut Grove came out ahead by 10, 58-48.

The Leopards missed some shots from the floor, but played a hard defense and set a tone for Thursday’s game. The play-in game will be decided at the board.

“Who ever knocks down the shots and can keep control at the boards will take the ballgame,” said Ruth. “We want to make it past them.”

Depending on the outcome of the play-in game, the Leopards would have a short time to prepare for Friday’s game against Riverside.

“Riverside is big and long,” Ruth said. “They have some strong boys, but I think we’ll give them a heck of a ballgame if we are fortunate enough to get past Walnut Grove."

For more on the boys' basketball see this week's The Banks County News.