The first part of the high school girls' basketball season was a remarkable one for the South Putnam basketball team and head coach Brian Gardner.
South Putnam closed out the month of December with a 9-6 record, ownership of the Putnam County Girls' Basketball County Tournament title and are looking to continue its winning ways in 2024. 

"We have had several players play well as we have been very balanced this year," head coach Brian Gardner told The Putnam County Post. 

Leading the way for the Eagles is Chlara Pistelli, who is averaging just over 12 points a game. Danae Cline and Drew Gardner are both averaging 7 points, while Madison Gardner and Lyla Rissler are both averaging close to 6 points a contest. 

With the team over .500, Gardner admits the Lady Eagles are close to where he thought his team would be at this point in the season. 

"I felt like Christmas break came at a good time for us in getting some rest mentally and physically as most of the girls are volleyball and basketball players and have not gotten much time off since July. We have had to rely a lot on three freshmen and I feel like Drew Gardner, Lyla Rissler and Mia Wells have given us great minutes this year for being new to varsity basketball," Gardner said. 

With the second half of the season upon South Putnam, Gardner said the focus is simple.

"We will be focusing on the new year of getting fine tuned to finish the year off playing the best basketball we can play. Things are not new any more so it is about making things as comfortable as possible so that when we are playing it is natural and that the girls are not thinking, just playing," Gardner said.