Sports

Habersham Central’s Landyn Savage looks to plow through a Shiloh defender last Friday night. TOM ASKEW/Special

Habersham Central’s Landyn Savage looks to plow through a Shiloh defender last Friday night. TOM ASKEW/Special

Raiders face familiar playoff challenge

   Habersham Central will load up the buses and head to Douglasville for a first round playoff clash with the undefeated Douglas County Tigers. The difference between the two clubs on paper is staggering, but the Raiders have history on their side.
Habersham Central’s Kyia Barrett is joined by her parents at her signing ceremony for Anderson University basketball on Wednesday. Shown are (back row, from left) Deborah Barrett and Randy Edwards. Front row are (from left) Terry Barrett, Kyia and Tenille Edwards. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Habersham Central’s Kyia Barrett is joined by her parents at her signing ceremony for Anderson University basketball on Wednesday. Shown are (back row, from left) Deborah Barrett and Randy Edwards. Front row are (from left) Terry Barrett, Kyia and Tenille Edwards. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Anderson hooper

   It seems like Kyia Barrett has been playing basketball in Habersham County forever.    The four-year starter for the Lady Raiders has one more chapter to write in her Habersham Central career, but she has had her eye on the next move for a while.
Tallulah Falls’ Breelyn Wood will be a key player for the Lady Indians this season. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

Tallulah Falls’ Breelyn Wood will be a key player for the Lady Indians this season. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

TFS hoops teams open play tonight

   Tallulah Falls’ girls basketball team must find its identity quickly in 2023-24.    After seeing the best player in school  history move on to the D-I level in Denika Lightbourne, that means the Lady Indians are forced  to replace a huge chunk of their offensive output.
Habersham Central’s Zeke Whittington and Jonah WIlson help celebrate Donnie Warren’s touchdown on Friday night as the Raiders topped Shiloh. TOM ASKEW/Special

Habersham Central’s Zeke Whittington and Jonah WIlson help celebrate Donnie Warren’s touchdown on Friday night as the Raiders topped Shiloh. TOM ASKEW/Special

Raiders surge into postseason

   Habersham Central entered its final game facing a few different scenarios that could land the team in the playoffs. The Raiders opted for the simplest route – win.    Habersham (5-5, 3-3 Region 8-6A) took care of business in Snellville Friday night, downing Shiloh (2-8, 1-5 Region 8-6A), 35-16.
Habersham Central big man JoJo McCurry will be a handful for opposing defenders again. FILE

Habersham Central big man JoJo McCurry will be a handful for opposing defenders again. FILE

Raider hoops set to tip off

   The Habersham Central boys basketball program is putting the final touches on an offseason full of familiar faces. Despite graduating a pair of formidable stars in Cole Gary and Bryce Pittman, the Raiders return several guys including four starters.
Habersham Central’s Audrey Hotard completes a cross country run. MARK TURNER/CNI NEWS SERVICE

Habersham Central’s Audrey Hotard completes a cross country run. MARK TURNER/CNI NEWS SERVICE

Hotard takes 10th in state cross country

   Habersham Central’s cross country runners traveled to Carrollton over the weekend to compete in the GHSA State Championships.    The girls’ event featured 210 participants from 30 schools.
Habersham Central’s Antonio Cantrell does a two-step to escape an Apalachee tackle last Friday night. TOM ASKEW/Special

Habersham Central’s Antonio Cantrell does a two-step to escape an Apalachee tackle last Friday night. TOM ASKEW/Special

Raiders face Shiloh for all the marbles

   Habersham Central’s roller coaster regular season has one last stop as the Raiders travel to Snellville with hopes of heading home with a playoff reservation if they can knock off Shiloh.    The region’s top three spots have been claimed, but the fourth and final spot is still up for grabs.
Habersham Central senior Kyia Barrett talks at Wednesday’s FCA Basketball Media Day at Free Chapel in Gainesville alongside Lady Raiders coach Bill Bradley. LANG STOREY/Staff

Habersham Central senior Kyia Barrett talks at Wednesday’s FCA Basketball Media Day at Free Chapel in Gainesville alongside Lady Raiders coach Bill Bradley. LANG STOREY/Staff

Raiders talk shop with hoops debut a week away

   The Habersham Central boys and girls basketball teams each sent a contingent to the FCA’s North Georgia Media Day in Gainesville on Wednesday. The annual event provides a forum for programs all across the region to preview the season ahead while mingling with the competition.
Tallulah Falls’ Avery Keim took seventh in the regional championship meet. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

Tallulah Falls’ Avery Keim took seventh in the regional championship meet. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

TFS XC teams qualify for state

   Tallulah Falls’ boys and girls varsity cross country teams qualified for the state meet Thursday  evening when each team placed inside the top-4 at the Region Championship at Athens  Christian.      The Lady Indians came in 3rd overall while the Indians placed 4th.
Habersham Central’s Christian Boss seals his block during a running play Friday night against Apalachee. TOM ASKEW/Special

Habersham Central’s Christian Boss seals his block during a running play Friday night against Apalachee. TOM ASKEW/Special

Raiders handle business in playoff quest

   Reeling from two straight home losses, Habersham took to the road in hopes of turning momentum around. The Raiders did just that in Barrow County Friday night, blasting Apalachee 42-15 behind Zeke Whittington’s record-breaking performance.