Sports

Hailey (left) and Taylor Wade (right) have both had a spring and summer full of softball, playing with the Atlanta Crush, an 18u travel softball team. ATLANTA CRUSH/Submitted

Hailey (left) and Taylor Wade (right) have both had a spring and summer full of softball, playing with the Atlanta Crush, an 18u travel softball team. ATLANTA CRUSH/Submitted

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Softball never sleeps for Wade twins

Cody Rogers
Friday, July 23, 2021
After an entire school year full of softball and basketball games and practices, It would have made a lot of sense for both Taylor and Hailey Wade to maybe take a week or a month.
Clifford Kimsey Jr. (left) sits on the porch of his Habersham County home for a chat with baseball legend Ty Cobb. CLIFF KIMSEY III/Submitted

Clifford Kimsey Jr. (left) sits on the porch of his Habersham County home for a chat with baseball legend Ty Cobb. CLIFF KIMSEY III/Submitted

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Memories of the Georgia Peach

News Staff
Friday, July 23, 2021
The thrill of rounding the bases was what pushed Ty Cobb to master the game of baseball.  And after rounding life’s bases, Cobb died on July 17, 1961, at age 74 after a battle with cancer. He left behind a son, two daughters, a brother and 15 grandchildren.
Team members from the 1962 squad were (front) Dexter Pratchard, R. Wilbanks, D. Kirby, Robin Lokey, T. Irvin, Tommy Parker, K. Murray, E. Stowe, D. Sanders, M. Bennett, (middle) coach Gene Alexander, Charles Welborn, P. Simmons, Ed Pritchett, R. Pruitt, R. Shedd, Bucky Kimsey, J. Barron, R. Simmons, M. Walker, B. Martin, Coach Whitaker, (back) L. London, D. Williams, L. Pitts, J. Benfield, T. Keller, B. Byers, L. Shedd, J. Simpson, B. Barron, L. Williams, J. Stephens, G. Gillespie and Coach Vaughan.

Team members from the 1962 squad were (front) Dexter Pratchard, R. Wilbanks, D. Kirby, Robin Lokey, T. Irvin, Tommy Parker, K. Murray, E. Stowe, D. Sanders, M. Bennett, (middle) coach Gene Alexander, Charles Welborn, P. Simmons, Ed Pritchett, R. Pruitt, R. Shedd, Bucky Kimsey, J. Barron, R. Simmons, M. Walker, B. Martin, Coach Whitaker, (back) L. London, D. Williams, L. Pitts, J. Benfield, T. Keller, B. Byers, L. Shedd, J. Simpson, B. Barron, L. Williams, J. Stephens, G. Gillespie and Coach Vaughan.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

South Hab righted the ship in ’63

Isaiah Smith
Friday, July 16, 2021
Entering 1963, South Habersham’s football team hadn’t had much success in recent history. But that was set to change, as the Rebels earned a subregion championship and turned in one of their best seasons in school history.
Habersham Central’s Kyia Barrett looks to get past a defender during a travel tournament in Indianapolis last week. KYIA BARRETT/Submitted

Habersham Central’s Kyia Barrett looks to get past a defender during a travel tournament in Indianapolis last week. KYIA BARRETT/Submitted

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Raider hoopers use summer to hone skills

Isaiah Smith
Friday, July 16, 2021
July is often known as the peak month on the travel basketball circuit, and several standouts from Habersham Central participated in events throughout the region last week.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Piedmont golfers named to All-American lists

News Staff
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Two Piedmont University golfers, Ben Balen and Fred Roberts IV, picked up Division III PING All-America honors last week.  The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) named Balen to the second team, while Roberts IV was named honorable mention.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

FCA looks toward full slate of events

Isaiah Smith
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Last year, COVID-19 disrupted many different organizations and events, and Habersham County’s branch of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) was no different.  “FCA is so much about being social and relational to work with coaches and others.
Demorest native Rob Hamby has been mowing down hitters this year. At GGC, he recorded 25 strikeouts for the Grizzlies who won the NAIA World Series. And this summer as a member of the Gainesville Braves, the hurler is second in the Sunbelt Baseball League with a 0.87 ERA and ranks in the top 20 in strikeouts. DALE LONG/Special

Demorest native Rob Hamby has been mowing down hitters this year. At GGC, he recorded 25 strikeouts for the Grizzlies who won the NAIA World Series. And this summer as a member of the Gainesville Braves, the hurler is second in the Sunbelt Baseball League with a 0.87 ERA and ranks in the top 20 in strikeouts. DALE LONG/Special

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Hamby shutting down hitters in summer league

Isaiah Smith
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
When Demorest native Rob Hamby takes the field, having Georgia Gwinnett College’s (GGC) “Grizzlies” mascot scribbled across his chest only feels appropriate for the bear of a man on the mound.  Standing at 6-foot-7 with a full beard and his hat low, Hamby looks like he means business.
The 1952 South Habersham Rebels finished the season 7-3 with the highlight of their season coming with a 20-7 win over top-ranked Thomson. Team members were (front) Bobby Hamby, John Foster, Donald Caudell, A.R. Scroggs, John Scott, Roger Burch, James Loudermilk, (back) W.C. Loudermilk, Sonny Cheek, Ted Smith and Sammie Cunningham.

The 1952 South Habersham Rebels finished the season 7-3 with the highlight of their season coming with a 20-7 win over top-ranked Thomson. Team members were (front) Bobby Hamby, John Foster, Donald Caudell, A.R. Scroggs, John Scott, Roger Burch, James Loudermilk, (back) W.C. Loudermilk, Sonny Cheek, Ted Smith and Sammie Cunningham.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Cornelia, South Habersham had some tough ball clubs back in the day

Isaiah Smith
Friday, July 9, 2021
   When many athletes look back on their former playing days, embellishment of one’s accomplishments is often what ensues. However, that’s not the case for John Foster and Ted Smith – that’s not their style.
Habersham County School System’s three-person grounds crew is responsible for maintaining its athletic fields throughout the year.

Habersham County School System’s three-person grounds crew is responsible for maintaining its athletic fields throughout the year.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Maintaining excellence starts with the fields

Isaiah Smith
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
   No matter what time of year you drop by any of the Habersham County School System’s athletic fields, and each one takes on a green, manicured look as if it’s set in a Hollywood movie.