Sports

Coach Gene Alexander  hands Herman Benfield his All-Region award during a banquet  following the season. SUBMITTED

Coach Gene Alexander hands Herman Benfield his All-Region award during a banquet following the season. SUBMITTED

South Hab legend Benfield tapped for Ring of Honor

   When Herman Benfield last laced up his cleats to represent Habersham, there was no Habersham Central. In fact, it would be nearly two decades until South Habersham and North Habersham consolidated into one institution.
Habersham Central boys soccer players celebrate their region title with fellow students and friends Tuesday night after knocking off North Forsyth 1-0 to clinch first place. LANG STOREY/Staff

Habersham Central boys soccer players celebrate their region title with fellow students and friends Tuesday night after knocking off North Forsyth 1-0 to clinch first place. LANG STOREY/Staff

PERFECT PITCH

   Raider Stadium was a pressure cooker from kickoff to final whistle (and beyond) Tuesday night as the Habersham Central boys soccer team stunned North Forsyth 1-0 to win the GHSA Region 8-6A title.    “It’s an awesome feeling to know that the work we’ve put in paid off,” said Coach Ric Wallace.
Tallulah Falls’ Ariel Kelsick was not challenged in her No. 1 singles match for the region title, winning 6-0, 6-3 to help the Lady Indians go back to back. TFS  ATHLETICS/Submitted

Tallulah Falls’ Ariel Kelsick was not challenged in her No. 1 singles match for the region title, winning 6-0, 6-3 to help the Lady Indians go back to back. TFS ATHLETICS/Submitted

Lady Indians win 2nd straight region crown

   The Lady Indians won a 16th consecutive match, which netted a second straight region title. The Indians lost a 3-2 decision in the title match, as both teams took on Rabun County at Elbert County Wednesday evening.    The Lady Indians earned a 3-0 win, all coming at singles.
Tallulah Falls seniors Joseph McGahee (left) and Marc Crotta competed in Colorado Springs, Colo. along with coach Tim Stamey. TFS ATHLETICS/Submitted

Tallulah Falls seniors Joseph McGahee (left) and Marc Crotta competed in Colorado Springs, Colo. along with coach Tim Stamey. TFS ATHLETICS/Submitted

Crotta, McGahee compete with best shooters in U.S.

   Tallulah Falls seniors Marc Crotta and Joseph McGahee completed their 60 shot standing Junior Olympic National Championship competition on April 9-10 in Colorado Springs. The duo were up against the best in the United States 20 years old and younger.
The Raiders celebrate with  Konnor Burrell after he hit a  two-run home run in the bottom of the 5th  inning against Apalachee last week. ZACH TAYLOR/ Special

The Raiders celebrate with Konnor Burrell after he hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the 5th inning against Apalachee last week. ZACH TAYLOR/ Special

Diamond Raiders jockey for playoff position

   All was quiet through 3 frames in Friday’s tilt between the Red Elephants and Habersham Central. That all changed when Gainesville’s Asher Stephens smacked a 3-run blast in the bottom of the 4th.
Roy Lee Williams and his wife Sherry live in Toccoa today. Williams was a Raider defensive mainstay in the early 1980s. SUBMITTED

Roy Lee Williams and his wife Sherry live in Toccoa today. Williams was a Raider defensive mainstay in the early 1980s. SUBMITTED

Williams adds another stalwart from historic 1981 defense to Ring of Honor

   The 1981 Habersham Central defense will always stand out as among the finest the program has ever produced. Statistically, they stand as the second best in school history – allowing just 90 points over 11 games.
Tallulah Falls’ Brianna Walter made a big impact on the Indians’ state runner-up rifle team this year. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

Tallulah Falls’ Brianna Walter made a big impact on the Indians’ state runner-up rifle team this year. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

Walter hit the mark during TFS career

   Brianna Walter has had a massive impact in her short time at Tallulah Falls School. The Sugar Hill native has a disciplined regiment and thrives on positive energy as each shot gets her closer to perfection.
Tucker Bohannon (above) and Habersham Central’s boys soccer team took on North Forsyth at home Tuesday after press time for the region championship.

Tucker Bohannon (above) and Habersham Central’s boys soccer team took on North Forsyth at home Tuesday after press time for the region championship.

Raider boys soccer fights for region title

   Habersham Central's boys soccer team made it a clean sweep on the pitch for the Raiders as region champions, as the boys beat North Forsyth 1-0 Tuesday night to claim the top of the table..
Hudson Gailey raises his bat in frustration after striking out to end the ball game against Apalachee on Wednesday night. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Hudson Gailey raises his bat in frustration after striking out to end the ball game against Apalachee on Wednesday night. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Diamond Raiders look to bounce back tonight

   The Diamond Raiders hosted Apalachee Wednesday and got their crack at avenging Monday’s narrow loss to the Wildcats in Winder. A late comeback attempt came up just short as Habersham fell, 5-4.