Some teams are just finding out that they’ll advance to the state playoffs, but Banks County already got a first-round bye.
Now the team must wait on the winner of the Vidalia/Davidson Arts first-round matchup to determine who they take on first. According to 5th year head coach Jim McKinney, the Leopards received a first-round bye in the playoffs because there was no fourth-place team out of region six.
That was the only instance in the boys 2A bracket where anyone received a bye. The Leopards (11-2) are fresh off a Region 8-AA championship, their second (either regular season or tournament) in as many seasons. Banks County has also made the state playoffs in each of McKinney’s five seasons.
This marks the first time they have advanced into the second round. The Leopards have racked up 56 wins since the 2013 season, going from 9 wins in McKinney’s first year to 12 in 2014, 14 in 2015, 10 in 2016 and 11 so far this season.
What makes McKinney’s run so impressive is that each year he graduates a pair or three seniors that are key contributors, but still maintains a solid team the following year. McKinney says this year’s team is led by senior Gabe Martin, and a couple of freshman are already making a name for themselves (which bodes well for the future).
“Pretty much all of my team was named first-team all-region,” says McKinney.
All that’s left to accomplish this season for the Leopards is to continue marching toward a possible state title.
“We don’t want to stop playing tennis anytime soon,” states McKinney.
