Sports

The TFS swim team poses after winning the state title in their first year as a member of GIAA. SUBMITTED

The TFS swim team poses after winning the state title in their first year as a member of GIAA. SUBMITTED

Tribe swimmers win state titles

Tallulah Falls School shined in its first GIAA State Championship meet on Saturday at Georgia Tech. The Lady Indians and Indians each won the team State Championship, while four individuals and four relays won gold overall between the boys and girls.
The Lady Raiders - including Jaden Bailes (left) and Katie Roberts - have had plenty to celebrate over the past couple weeks. The team has rattled off five consecutive wins and six of their last seven. MEG LABARBERA/HCHS

The Lady Raiders - including Jaden Bailes (left) and Katie Roberts - have had plenty to celebrate over the past couple weeks. The team has rattled off five consecutive wins and six of their last seven. MEG LABARBERA/HCHS

Hottest team in the region

*The Lady Raiders defeated Clarke Central 39-25 Tuesday after press time to mark their 6th consecutive win. They now sit at 10-10 overall and 8-4 in region play.   Two days. Four games. Four wins.
A fan favorite amongst Raider Nation, Chitwood is also known for his relentless effort. When he’s playing in the field, he’s all over the place making hustle plays. LANG STOREY/Staff

A fan favorite amongst Raider Nation, Chitwood is also known for his relentless effort. When he’s playing in the field, he’s all over the place making hustle plays. LANG STOREY/Staff

Diamond Raiders eye even deeper run in '25

Last year’s campaign put Habersham Central baseball back on the map.
The Turner house in Clarkesville is home to hundreds of race medals acquired through the years. LANG STOREY/Staff

The Turner house in Clarkesville is home to hundreds of race medals acquired through the years. LANG STOREY/Staff

Turner adds more medals to collection

  Experienced runners know there’s a fine line between maintaining a proper training load and pushing yourself too hard, risking overuse injuries and other health issues.
Former Habersham Central Lady Raider Kelsey Banks has emerged as a key player right down the road at Piedmont University, where she’s in her junior year. KARL MOORE/Special

Former Habersham Central Lady Raider Kelsey Banks has emerged as a key player right down the road at Piedmont University, where she’s in her junior year. KARL MOORE/Special

Banks, Piedmont women off to roaring 2025

Don’t look now, but the Piedmont University women’s basketball team is undefeated in conference play this season. The Lions walloped Covenant College 70-39 on Tuesday to improve to 7-0 in the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS).
Abigail Hotard (and her easy-to-spot pink boots) is part of a senior class that has already made history for Habersham soccer. They’ll look to add to it this spring. LANG STOREY/Staff

Abigail Hotard (and her easy-to-spot pink boots) is part of a senior class that has already made history for Habersham soccer. They’ll look to add to it this spring. LANG STOREY/Staff

Hotard, Lady Raiders look to run it back in ‘25

Last year was a year to remember for Habersham Central soccer. Both the boys and girls teams captured region titles, pulling off a rare and historic feat at the school.
Caden Garrison (left) and Justus Gober have both been key components of a Habersham backcourt that checks-in as one of the best in all of 5A varsity hoops. LANG STOREY/Staff

Caden Garrison (left) and Justus Gober have both been key components of a Habersham backcourt that checks-in as one of the best in all of 5A varsity hoops. LANG STOREY/Staff

Raiders tied atop region standings

When the Habersham Central boys basketball team trekked to Winder-Barrow High School over the weekend, it was the second meeting between the Raiders and Bulldoggs so far this season. Almost exactly a month prior, HCHS outlasted WBHS in a mid-December Mt. Airy thriller.
HCHS sophomore Makenzie Gosnell made it rain from deep against Winder-Barrow. She hit five threes en route to a season-high 17 points to lead all-scorers in the contest. LANG STOREY/Staff

HCHS sophomore Makenzie Gosnell made it rain from deep against Winder-Barrow. She hit five threes en route to a season-high 17 points to lead all-scorers in the contest. LANG STOREY/Staff

Lady Raiders still in the hunt

With a region tournament looming next month, the Habersham Central girls basketball team will get more shots at making the postseason.
Chesser has made her presence known as an elite defender for the Lady Indians and will look to do so at the next level for Southern Wesleyan. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

Chesser has made her presence known as an elite defender for the Lady Indians and will look to do so at the next level for Southern Wesleyan. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

Tribe's Chesser chooses college home

When it came time to narrow down her college options, Tallulah Falls senior and Lady Indians soccer standout Josie Chesser knew two things for certain. For one, her home for the next four years would need to provide an opportunity to grow in her faith … something the TFS senior deeply cherishes.
Running back Nate Frazier was UGA’s leading rusher in 2024 as a freshman, and will be back for more next season. KEITH BARLOW/Staff

Running back Nate Frazier was UGA’s leading rusher in 2024 as a freshman, and will be back for more next season. KEITH BARLOW/Staff

Dawgs moving on to next season

*After this story was printed for the midweek edition of The Northeast Georgian, Georgia Bulldogs RB Trevor Etienne announced his intention to enter the 2025 NFL Draft.   Missed opportunities ran rampant for the Georgia football team in their Sugar Bowl matchup against Notre Dame on Jan. 2.