Sports

Habersham Central’s Leah Culpepper emerges from the water during a meet last season. Culpepper is already on the sheet for the state meet even before Thanksgiving. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central’s Leah Culpepper emerges from the water during a meet last season. Culpepper is already on the sheet for the state meet even before Thanksgiving. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Culpepper already booked for state as Raiders host first meet

   Habersham Central’s swim team finally hosted its first meet Nov. 17 with the Pirate Plunge.    As a team, HCHS took 4th out of 11 schools. The Lady Raiders finished second overall and the men took seventh.
JoJo McCurry lands a hook shot over a defending Chattahoochee forward on Saturday night.  McCurry is a big part of the  Raiders’ plans to take a step forward this season. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

JoJo McCurry lands a hook shot over a defending Chattahoochee forward on Saturday night. McCurry is a big part of the Raiders’ plans to take a step forward this season. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Raiders’ ship balances at the center

   When the clock hit quadruple zeros in the Raiders’ state tournament loss to Pope High School last season, uncertainty set in almost immediately. After all, a solid chunk – especially from the statistical production standpoint – was departing.
Maggie Vena is ready to take her talents to Young Harris College next year. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Maggie Vena is ready to take her talents to Young Harris College next year. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Vena to continue career at Young Harris

   Lady Raider standout Maggie Vena committed earlier this month to continue her soccer career at Young Harris College.    For Vena, the chance to continue doing what she loves at the next level is validation for the years of blood, sweat and tears she’s devoted to the game.
Members of Habersham rec’s 14U volleyball team who went to the state tournament and finished third are (back row, from left) Assistant Coach Tiffany Trubey, Makayla Moss, Aliannah Trubey, Kara Ivie, Jill Hicks and Head Coach Josh Trubey. Front row are (from left) Lylah Couter Maggie Witt, Taegan Lanier and Jesanna Smith. Not pictured are Chloe Brown and Chassey Richard. SUBMITTED

Members of Habersham rec’s 14U volleyball team who went to the state tournament and finished third are (back row, from left) Assistant Coach Tiffany Trubey, Makayla Moss, Aliannah Trubey, Kara Ivie, Jill Hicks and Head Coach Josh Trubey. Front row are (from left) Lylah Couter Maggie Witt, Taegan Lanier and Jesanna Smith. Not pictured are Chloe Brown and Chassey Richard. SUBMITTED

Expanded rec department runs into another hiccup with volleyball gaffe

   Recent struggles at the Habersham Recreation Department have relit the debate over whether or not the department’s increased burden to the county taxpayers has matched its services provided.
Tallulah Falls’ Millie Holcomb is surrounded by White County defenders on Tuesday night. ELI SHOEMAKE/CNI News Service

Tallulah Falls’ Millie Holcomb is surrounded by White County defenders on Tuesday night. ELI SHOEMAKE/CNI News Service

Indians win tight battle with White County

   The Indians earned a slim 53-50 win over White County in a Tuesday road matchup. A trio of  Indians scored in double figures.      Neyo Bain dropped a team-best 14 points, while Hayden Bootle (12) and Zakhar Valasiuk (11)  scored in double-digits.
Habersham Central senior Brad Chosewood is excited about heading to Dartmouth College next year to continue his track and field career. SUBMITTED

Habersham Central senior Brad Chosewood is excited about heading to Dartmouth College next year to continue his track and field career. SUBMITTED

Chosewood gets ready to throw in the Ivy League

   Habersham Central senior Brad Chosewood has made it official. The Cornelia native announced he will be taking his shotputting prowess to Dartmouth College next year.
Habersham Central’s Zeke Whittington shows the ball after snagging a touchdown catch in the first half of Friday’s playoff loss to Douglas County. Whittington, a junior, finished the season with 221 career catches, the most in Habersham Central history so far. LANG STOREY/Staff

Habersham Central’s Zeke Whittington shows the ball after snagging a touchdown catch in the first half of Friday’s playoff loss to Douglas County. Whittington, a junior, finished the season with 221 career catches, the most in Habersham Central history so far. LANG STOREY/Staff

Dominant Douglas too much for Raiders

   The Habersham Central football season came to a close Friday night in Douglasville as the Raiders were trounced by undefeated Douglas County in the first round of the GHSA State Playoffs.    After closing the regular season on a two-game win streak to snag a No.
Piedmont swimmer Sam Teed looks on as teammate Will Donaldson swims laps on Monday. The pool was closed for almost two months and the repairs spilled into swim season, canceling the first home meet. Piedmont, Habersham Central and youth swimmers all use the facility for practice as well. LANG STOREY/Staff

Piedmont swimmer Sam Teed looks on as teammate Will Donaldson swims laps on Monday. The pool was closed for almost two months and the repairs spilled into swim season, canceling the first home meet. Piedmont, Habersham Central and youth swimmers all use the facility for practice as well. LANG STOREY/Staff

Lap pool back open at Ruby Fulbright

   Repairs have been completed on the lap pool inside the Habersham County Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center and it is open for business.
Habersham Central’s Enzo Combs floats over two Madison County defenders for two points. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central’s Enzo Combs floats over two Madison County defenders for two points. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Raiders split scrimmages, prepare to open season with home tournament

   The Habersham Central boys basketball team traveled to Danielsville Thursday to take on Madison County in a final preseason scrimmage. Though just an exhibition, the intensity level was high as the Raiders scratched out a tough 68-64 victory.