Sports

Habersham Central’s Logan Kay pitches against Lanier on Monday night.

Habersham Central’s Logan Kay pitches against Lanier on Monday night.

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Raiders earn playoff berth

News Staff
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
On Friday night, the Habersham Central baseball team punched its ticket to the state playoffs for the second time in the last two complete seasons in dominant fashion, mercy-ruling Shiloh 13-3.
The Raiders finished in third during Monday’s Area 2 tournament. Pictured are team members (from left) Joey Terrell, Colby Caldwell, Gabe Hudlow, Charles Daniel, Clay Perry, coach Matt Hudlow, Zach Shubert, John Ingram, Smith Caudell and Ethan Stamper.

The Raiders finished in third during Monday’s Area 2 tournament. Pictured are team members (from left) Joey Terrell, Colby Caldwell, Gabe Hudlow, Charles Daniel, Clay Perry, coach Matt Hudlow, Zach Shubert, John Ingram, Smith Caudell and Ethan Stamper.

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Lady Raiders win area, boys earn sectional bid

News Staff
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Both Raider golf teams will advance in the postseason after solid showings at Area 2-6A tournament Monday.  The Lady Raider golf team qualified for the state tournament after winning the Area 2-6A tournament Monday by 14 strokes.
Red Black (center) signs with UGA to play baseball following his senior season at North Habersham High School as teammates Ernest Todd (left) and Howard Burke (right) look on. Black was a three-sport star for the Bobcats and was awarded All-State Honorable Mention honors following the 1954 football season. Photo submitted by Chuck Black.

Red Black (center) signs with UGA to play baseball following his senior season at North Habersham High School as teammates Ernest Todd (left) and Howard Burke (right) look on. Black was a three-sport star for the Bobcats and was awarded All-State Honorable Mention honors following the 1954 football season. Photo submitted by Chuck Black.

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Red Black may have been the best of them all

News Staff
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Throughout Habersham County, the Black family name is nearly synonymous with Raider football. And this year, the family will have another member's name woven into history, as the late Jerry "Red" Black now joins the Ring of Honor.  Red played for North Habersham High School from 1951-1954.
Logan Hare (16) high-fives teammate Austin Jones (11) following a solo home run in the first of two games Wednesday.

Logan Hare (16) high-fives teammate Austin Jones (11) following a solo home run in the first of two games Wednesday.

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Late offense not enough to end Raiders’ slide

Isaiah Smith
Thursday, April 8, 2021
   Even with school out for spring break, Habersham Central’s baseball team was busy this week. The Raiders played five non-region games over the first three days of the week, and the grueling stretch closed on Wednesday afternoon with a pair of 6-3 losses to Chestatee.
Habersham Central’s Anna LaBarbera looks to find a shot in a recent home match. This weekend, LaBarbera will be participating in an ODP sub-regional event in Tifton with talented players from all across the state.

Habersham Central’s Anna LaBarbera looks to find a shot in a recent home match. This weekend, LaBarbera will be participating in an ODP sub-regional event in Tifton with talented players from all across the state.

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Olympic Development helping LaBarbera thrive for Raiders

Isaiah Smith
Thursday, April 8, 2021
   Although spring break is often a time for many athletes to rest their bodies and recalibrate for the home stretches of their seasons, that hasn’t been the case for Lady Raiders soccer player Anna LaBarbera.     Being out of school has been nice, but she has also been preparing to attend a U.S.
Peyton Irvin warms up before a recent game at Loudermilk Field. KARL L. MOORE/Special

Peyton Irvin warms up before a recent game at Loudermilk Field. KARL L. MOORE/Special

Habersham native Irvin wins 6th game for Piedmont

News Staff
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
   Habersham Central alum Peyton Irvin picked up his sixth win of the season in Piedmont College’s 5-2 victory over Huntingdon on Saturday.     Irvin (6-1) nearly went the distance, throwing a season-high 8.1 innings and allowing only four hits and two earned runs while striking out five.
Garrett Heaton takes one of his attempts in the long jump at The Battle of the Blue Ridge at HCHS. Heaton won the event last Friday at the Mt. Yonah Invite.

Garrett Heaton takes one of his attempts in the long jump at The Battle of the Blue Ridge at HCHS. Heaton won the event last Friday at the Mt. Yonah Invite.

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Raider track takes second at Mt. Yonah Invite

Isaiah Smith
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
   Both Raider track and field teams put forth solid showing last Friday night at the Mt. Yonah Invite in White County. The boys team led the way, finishing second despite dealing with some nagging injuries along the way.     “I felt like both teams did well overall.
Abigail Deleon (14) battles Buford’s Emma Chaffee in a recent match. The Lady Raiders secured a playoff berth last Thursday with a 2-0 road victory over Winder-Barrow.

Abigail Deleon (14) battles Buford’s Emma Chaffee in a recent match. The Lady Raiders secured a playoff berth last Thursday with a 2-0 road victory over Winder-Barrow.

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Habersham Central soccer teams finish region play strong

Isaiah Smith
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
   Due to an officiating mixup, Habersham Central’s soccer teams took the pitch last Friday night instead of Thursday. But despite the changes, both teams left Winder-Barrow with playoff-clinching victories under their belts.
Tallulah Falls’ Simeon Respress runs a relay at the Battle of Blue Ridge last month. Respress also took second in the long jump at the Georgia Spring Break Showdown. ISAIAH SMITH/Staff

Tallulah Falls’ Simeon Respress runs a relay at the Battle of Blue Ridge last month. Respress also took second in the long jump at the Georgia Spring Break Showdown. ISAIAH SMITH/Staff

Tallulah Falls track looks sharp in Marietta

News Staff
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
   At the fourth annual Georgia Spring Break Showdown in Marietta Saturday, Tallulah Falls’ track team turned in a solid showing at the multi-classification event with several runners finishing near the top of their events.
Habersham Central’s Azzi Cervantes puts down a tag on an Elbert County runner looking to score on a wild pitch in the Raiders 11-3 loss to Elbert County on Monday night.

Habersham Central’s Azzi Cervantes puts down a tag on an Elbert County runner looking to score on a wild pitch in the Raiders 11-3 loss to Elbert County on Monday night.

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Raider baseball hopes to stem tide of losing streak

Isaiah Smith
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
   After surrendering an early lead to Elbert County, the Raiders baseball team was unable to claw back into the game and eventually fell 11-3 Monday night.     “We swung the bat very well at times today, but with men in scoring position we did not and left a lot of guys stranded.