The Jaguars’ leading scorer, Abrelyn Rackley fought back from a midseason injury. (photo by Leita Cowart)

by Wade Marbaugh

During the Georgia Perimeter College Jaguars’ midseason schedule, Abrelyn Rackley gallantly fought an injury that sidelined her and slowed her statistics buildup. In the end, the conference coaches showed their appreciation of her talents.

They named Rackley to the National Junior College Athletic Association All-Region 17 second team. She placed sixth in the voting, so she just missed being on the first team.

A freshman forward, Rackley led the Jaguars in scoring with 16 points per game. She was the region’s fifth top scorer.

Early in the season Rackley put up big numbers—28 points in the opener, 30 at Central Georgia Tech and 34 in a Christmas tournament game in Memphis.

“Rackley was our steadiest player from start to finish,” said head coach James Waldon. “She scored and rebounded with the best of them. She looked dominant just before her injury. After the injury, she had to find her way again.”

During the five games Rackley was saddled with the injury, the Jaguars won only one. Upon her return to action, they went 8-4, finishing with a 13-17 record, 9-11 in conference games.

The team had its own heroic battle against unusual adversity—being down to seven players on the roster, for example.

The season ended with an agonizing postseason loss in late February. Georgia Perimeter held leads but eventually succumbed to defending champion Darton State College 70-64 in the quarterfinals of the Region 17 tournament.

Sophomore guard Yvonna Dunkley spearheaded that valiant effort with 30 points, tossing in six of 12 3-point shots and six of 10 free throws. Rackley added 13 points.

Dunkley finished fifth in Region 17 in 3-point shooting percentage, 33.2 percent. With 1.8 blocked shots per game, Taylor Boyd ranked fifth in the conference. Terita Brown was 10th with 3.8 assists per game.

“I was happy with the way our ladies played,” Waldon said. “They showed tremendous growth from the obstacles they had to endure this season.”

Read more about Jaguar women’s basketball.