Jenkins County focused heading into playoffs

MILLEN, Ga. - His team is 19-0, but Jenkins County girls basketball coach Joey Kirkland is just a little bit worried.

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It's one thing, he said, to go undefeated in the regular season. When the Lady Eagles start their Region 3-A tournament next week, none of their victories will matter.

Nineteen wins - and a 13-0 region record - won't mean a thing if Jenkins County falls in the first round of the tournament.

"If you lose in the first round, you're out," said Kirkland, whose squad will face McIntosh County Academy at 6:30 tonight. "I tell the girls all the time there's two seasons. If we go 20-0 in the first season, that's great. But they can't forget about the second season."

By that, he means the season that really matters - the playoffs.

Forward Vontrease Smith, who's shooting 50.9 percent from the field and averaging 17.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, isn't concerned.

That's the difference between this year's squad and last year. Now, the team is focused on its goal - the first state title in school history.

"We were close last year," said Smith, one of five juniors that started last season as sophomores. "This year, we know what we have to do. All we have to do is go out and play hard."

It's worked so far this season.

The Lady Eagles have dominated in their wins, beating Class AAAA rival Burke County three times and winning each game by at least five points.

In fact, the only time the Lady Eagles were in danger of losing came against Savannah Country Day earlier this month when the teams were tied 39-39 with a minute to play.

But Jenkins County reeled off five-straight points in the final 60 seconds to take the win and keep the undefeated streak alive.

"The girls come through in clutch situations," Kirkland said. "It's because they've been playing together for so long. They always know where the other one is going to be."

Said point guard Whitney Muckerson, who averages 12.7 points and 3.9 assists per contest: "We're a special team because we all stick together. If someone does something that's not so good, we're there to pick them back up."

The Lady Eagles were forced to prove that last season after losing in overtime to Tri-County, 72-65, in the Class AA Sweet 16.

It was the second-straight year Jenkins County had been knocked out of the state sectionals. It was the second-straight year of heartache.

According to Smith, it'll also be the last.

"We worked so hard to win that game last year," Smith said. "We played like a team should. But it's going to happen like that again this year. I guarantee you that."

Reach Josh Katzowitz at (706) 823-3216 or josh.katzowitz@augustachronicle.com.