The French Camp boys and girls basketball teams entered the Christmas break with identical 3-5 records. That’s a significant improvement over last year when the Panthers won one game during the season and the Lady Panthers were winless.
“We’re still learning, but we’re playing better,” said boys coach Robert Leathers. Girls coach Priscilla Anderson said “Last year we were 0 and 16. To have won three games already is a big improvement.”
The boys are also 1-0 in Region 6-1A following a 48-46 victory over Ethel in the final game before the break. It broke a 19-game region losing streak in region play for the Panthers dating back nearly three years.
“We have been in every game,” Leathers said. But he added “We’re still turning the ball over way too much.”
Calvin Johnson is leading the Panthers in scoring at 12.1 points per game. Everett Holland is averaging 9.3, Clayton Edwards 8.6, Cameron Smith 7.3 and Holman Edwards 7.0
French Camp played man to man defense last year, but the Panthers are mostly a 2-3 zone team this season, which has put players in better position for defensive rebounding. Leathers said a key to the defense has been Edwards at center.
The Lady Panthers are led by senior Madison Klein, averaging 19.9 points, and freshman Jasmine Bonty, with 14 points per contest. Anderson said sophomore Jordan Carter and freshman Grace Ann Wade have also been major contributors, doing the “little things.”
A key going forward, Anderson said, will be the team’s ability to get the ball to Klein. “We have to find a way to get the ball to Madison. If we can get the ball to her, she is going to score.”
The Panthers and Lady Panthers will next play Jan. 8 with home games against West Lowndes.
