Banks County’s Chase Armour had a chance to make school history last Friday.

With a minute left to play against Stephens County, and the ball in his hands, he needed one more 3-pointer to total eight on the night, which would give him the Leopards’ single-game record.

Instead, the junior found an open teammate, and passed the ball.

"He’s just not a selfish kid," Leopards coach Mike Ruth said. "If he has a shot he’ll put it up, but if he has an open teammate he’s going to dish it to him."

But after everything that Armour accomplished that night, ending one shot shy of a new school record didn’t take away from one of the best individual performances by any Leopard this season. He finished the game with 41 points and the school record-tying seven 3-pointers, as Banks County defeated the Indians 85-70 for its seventh straight win.

"It was a monster game for him," Ruth said. "They (Stephens County) weren’t closing out on him, so he took advantage of it."

Armour also had eight steals in the game and scored or assisted on a score after all of them, which reflects his ability on defense. The 5-foot-9 guard has become a catalyst for the Leopards on both sides of the court. Having played linebacker for Banks County in the fall, he has the speed to break away from, or chase down, opponents from one end of the court to the other.

"He’s just a good athlete and a well-rounded player that will take whatever you give him," Ruth said. "The strongest part of his game is his defense, but with us forcing about 20 turnovers a game, he’s going to get a lot of
opportunities to take it to the net."

His versatility has paid off, and it has especially helped in the win column. The Leopards (9-2) have already won more games than they did all of last season, and have become an early threat to Region 8-AA teams.

But Armour hasn’t been alone in Banks County’s turnaround this season. A closer look at the Leopards’ stat book last Friday shows that three other players also scored in double figures.

Armour’s 28 points in Tuesday’s win against Rabun County was also a team high, but teammate Ryan Griffin was right behind him, with 25.

"They look out for each other," Ruth said. "We’ve always considered our team a family. They really get after each other."

Playing with his twin brother, Brett, has also helped. Although Brett isn’t a starter, having a sibling on the team has given Armour a training partner outside of team practice.

"They’re very competitive against each other," Ruth said. "If one does something good the other one is over there telling him ‘good job’."

"If he messes up, he’s in his ear letting him know that he needs to get his act together."

Ruth believes that if Armour adds some size to his frame and continues to generate the numbers he has earned this season, he could be an athlete at the college level in either sport he plays.

"Someone is going to look at him just because he is so athletic," Ruth said. "I think unless something bad happens, he’ll get a shot somewhere next year."