The Athens Academy girls basketball team is off to a strong start for the 2021-22 season.
Entering play this week, the Lady Spartans held a 5-3 record. Their only losses were twice to Oconee County High School and once to North Oconee High School – two teams that only had four combined losses as of press time.
Jaila Salley-Barnett was a big reason for Athens Academy’s early success.
Salley-Barnett, a senior point guard with the Lady Spartans, turned in a string of solid performances during those first eight games.
In the season opener against East Jackson, Salley-Barnett scored 8 points and had eight assists.
She dropped 24 points during the first meeting with Oconee County and also recorded five assists and five steals.
The Lady Spartans took on Monroe Area as part of the Andy Landers Classic on Nov. 23. Salley-Barnett rained down 31 points to go with four assists.
On Nov. 30, Athens Academy hosted Westminster Christian Academy. Salley-Barnett gave the Lady Lions fits, scoring 10 points. She finished that game with six rebounds and five assists as well.
Athens Academy hosted Oconee County last Tuesday. During the rematch, Salley-Barnett scored 12 points to lead the team and also recorded six steals during the game.
In their most recent game before press time, the Lady Spartans traveled to The Walker School and thumped the Lady Wolverines, winning 56-14.
Salley-Barnett was a big part of their success in that game, much like the others. She dropped 6 points and was a force across the court, picking up seven assists and six steals.
The Lady Spartans return to action this Thursday at Commerce High School. Next week, they will take on First Presbyterian Day School and Stratford Academy. They will face Charlotte Latin School on Dec. 28.
With Salley-Barnett and others leading the way, head coach Brian Olson recently took to Twitter and praised his team’s early progress.
“Our tough early season schedule is helping us grow,” the tweet read. “This team can be special, and we are on our way.”
