When the Greyhounds play Friday night in Augusta against Josey, it’ll be their first game in 13 days. It’s a layoff that Jones County, which is 5-6 overall and 3-4 in the region, has no issue with. The layoff not only permits a time for self-evaluation for a team that’s one game shy of third place in the region but also allows a window to bounce back from a myriad of injuries and seasonal illnesses.
“We have two weeks to kind of attack our weaknesses and get healthy,” Greyhounds head coach Dylan Dupree said. “We have a backup big man still battling an ankle injury, and we have some guys that are a bit sick and battling. So this break, it came at a good time for us.”
After playing at Josey Friday and hosting highly rated Putnam County on Saturday, region play resumes for the Greyhounds next week as they host ELCA and Union Grove, two teams ranked third and fourth in the region.
Thanks to Jones County’s play so far this season, it is very much in play to drive for a spot in the region’s top half. The Greyhounds’ senior leaders are a key reason why, both on and off the court. At the outset of the season, the expectation was for Rudy Bowden, Sheldon Jackson, and Justin Ray to firmly step into roles as senior leaders. They have done that, not only leading the way on the stat sheet but in the locker room, as well.
As Dupree notes, stepping up as leaders was new to all three before the season.
“On the floor and the locker room, they’re encouraging the young guys,” Dupree said. “That’s really where we have seen the most growth. That’s what is going to take us to the next level.”
