The Class AAA runner-up Lady Tiger basketball team dropped its first game of the season , 58-46, at Banks County Dec. 6.

Head coach Steve Sweat's team was under duress most of the evening with his top three players, Sheyenne Seabolt, Ashley Parker and Karlie Bearden all fouling out in the contest.

Kaitlyn Duncan scored 21 points to lead all scorers for Banks County. Lady Leopard Taylor Kennedy added 12 points in the win for Banks.

Not only was it a loss, but it was to a Region 7-AAA opponent in the Lady Leopards under Coach Jerry King. Banks County is now 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in region play.

"Foul trouble hurt us tonight," Sweat said.

The game was close for the first three quarters, with the Lady Tigers holding a 40-37 lead. But things went haywire in the final quarter as Banks County outscored the Lady Tigers 21-6 to take the important win.

"We have got to increase our scoring to beat all of the people we have to play in our region," Sweat said.

Despite fouling out of the ball game, Seabolt and Parker played well.

Both Lady Tigers recorded double-doubles in the contest. Seabolt finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while her teammate posted 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Bearden contributed eight points in the loss. Jordan Moore and Peytan Porter finished out the scoring with four and two points respectively.

Earlier in the week, the Lady Tigers opened the Region 7-AAA campaign with a 70-56 win over Fannin County (3-2; 0-1) Dec. 3 in Dawsonville.

The Lady Tigers never trailed in the ballgame after opening up a huge 37-19 lead at halftime.

Even though the Lady Rebels outscored Dawson County 37-33 in the second half, the Lady Tigers managed to hold onto the lead for the win.

"It was a hard fought win over Fannin County," Sweat said. ‘We were able to knock down some free throws at the end to win. It is always good to get a win in this region. It does not matter how or by how much. Our region is tough every year."

Bearden led Dawson County in scoring. The sophomore wing player had 27 points in the win.

Lady Tiger Parker recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Also scoring for Dawson County were Seabolt with 15; Peytan Porter-five, Ansley Costley-three, Jordan Moore and Alison Honea with two points each.

The Lady Tigers are currently 4-1 overall and 1-1 in region play.

This week Dawson County will have two non-region games. The team will host Lumpkin County at 7 p.m. Friday and Pacelli High School at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.