HOMER — After a solid 24-win season and a trip to the second round of the Class AAA tournament last year, Banks County boys coach Mike Cleveland still felt his talented group of Leopards was perhaps getting a little ahead of themselves.
“Last year was fun to watch and they probably played above their heads a little. But there was a lot of talent there so I’m not too surprised either. But I have to admit, we didn’t expect 24 wins,” Cleveland said. “I really thought this year would be the year for them to really break out. I’m really looking forward to see how the rest of this season goes.”
If it’s anything like the first half, Cleveland and the Leopards are poised for some big things. The Leopards used that confidence from last year to open the season 10-0 this year. Right now they sit 12-2 overall and 3-0 in Region 7-AAA -- good for first place -- with both losses by a combined three points to Class AAAA North Hall and Class AAAAAA Collins Hill.
Banks County will jump back into region play on Tuesday traveling to Franklin County (5-10, 2-2) trying to hang onto the top spot and remain the only unbeaten team in the region.
The biggest moment so far in the season was one no Banks County team had ever experienced: a win over nearby rival East Hall on the road on Dec. 11 in region play.
“That was big for us,” Cleveland said. “We had never beaten them before in our history. We felt we were pretty good but I think that game showed the guys what they were capable of.”
Last year the Leopards were powered by center Austin Venable. The offense ran through him and they rode the 6-foot-7 senior to their deepest playoff run ever.
Players like Zez Steeple, Trevae Cain, and Zac Orr played their roles. Now, they are taking the reins.
Steeple, Cain, and Orr are seniors now. Add in junior Kahmal Riley and sophomores Gabe Martin, Grant Riley, and Dylan Orr and the Leopards have a nucleus assembled that could put the Banks County program on the map permanently.
Steeple is leading the team in scoring (18.6 points a game) and assists (3.4 apg), and is pulling down 2.0 rebounds a game. Zac Orr is averaging a double-double on the season at 11.6 ppg and 12.8 rpg, Riley is averaging 10.2 ppg and 6.9 rpg, and Cain is scoring 9.4 ppg to go with 4.3 rpg and a team-leading 1.7 steals a contest.
“I really like the chemistry with this group. They really seem to enjoy playing together,” Cleveland said. “We have about six or seven guys that can score anytime. Trevae has really stepped up his leadership role but all the seniors are leading the way.”
Cleveland said the stretch run in a very tough region will show everyone whether the Leopards have truly turned the corner.
“There are a lot of good coaches in this region and it is very balanced,” Cleveland said. “We’re really just trying to take things one at a time. Anyone can beat anyone on any night if they don’t come ready to play.
“Now, I think the guys expect to win every time they go out and that is a huge factor when you’re trying to get wins. Expecting to win is a lot different from hoping you can win.”
But any future success can be traced back to the hard work put in by the 2014-15 team to pave the way.
“Last year has given us the confidence to feel that we can play with anybody. We’re trying to build off of that,” Cleveland said. “But, this team is also trying to make its own mark. So far, I think they are doing that.”
