Sports

Caden Griffis gives instructions to a swimmer during camp at Tallulah Falls School last week. E. LANE GRESHAM/Special

Caden Griffis gives instructions to a swimmer during camp at Tallulah Falls School last week. E. LANE GRESHAM/Special

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Summer swim team wraps first season

News Staff
Friday, July 23, 2021
Bringing to a close the inaugural summer swim league season, two dozen athletes celebrated with a shark-themed meet on July 16.  Natatorium Director Katie Ralston engaged the help of youth coaches and lifeguards to add a festive touch to the new swim facility.
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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.