Sports

Habersham Central head baseball coach Chris Akridge explains the “rules” of wiffle ball and directs the teams to their designated fields. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central head baseball coach Chris Akridge explains the “rules” of wiffle ball and directs the teams to their designated fields. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Wiffle ball tourney raises $5K for family

The Johnson Family Wiffle Ball Tournament organized by Velo Factory Sports and Habersham Raider Baseball raised an estimated amount between $5,000 and $6,000. 100 percent of the proceeds were donated to the Johnson family, who lost their home in a house fire.
Habersham Central’s Landrey Pike, shown throwing discus earlier this season, is heading for state in the shot put. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central’s Landrey Pike, shown throwing discus earlier this season, is heading for state in the shot put. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Raiders’ track sends 8 to state

Habersham Central’s track & field team placed a school record eight athletes in the 6A state meet with a strong performance at sectionals in Apalachee over the weekend. Da’Riyah Bell qualified in the triple jump, her day highlighted by a jump of 35 feet, 6 inches – a new junior record.
Tallulah Falls’ Dani Prince takes off in the 4x400 relay event. Prince will be competing at the state meet this weekend in Rome. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

Tallulah Falls’ Dani Prince takes off in the 4x400 relay event. Prince will be competing at the state meet this weekend in Rome. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

TFS qualifies for state in 15 events

With a successful outing at the GHSA 1A DI Sectional last weekend, Tallulah Falls has qualified in 15 events for the GHSA State Championships in Rome beginning on Thursday, May 11. The Indians finished 26th at state last season, while the Lady Indians were 14th.
Nick Denton, a pitching and hitting instructor at Velo Factory, instructs Ava Buffington (left) to not hit his arm in a cross-body pitching drill for changeups. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Nick Denton, a pitching and hitting instructor at Velo Factory, instructs Ava Buffington (left) to not hit his arm in a cross-body pitching drill for changeups. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Velo Factory offers top-tier training to local talent

When the spring sports season was initially interrupted in early 2020, no one could have foreseen the impending crisis that would soon wreak havoc on the world. The pandemic ravaged nearly every aspect of society and athletics here in Northeast Georgia was no exception.
Habersham  Central’s Zeke Whittington gives the jug machine a test on the first day of spring practice. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Habersham Central’s Zeke Whittington gives the jug machine a test on the first day of spring practice. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Raider spring football practice begins anew

Activity is heating up for the Habersham Central football program. The Raiders were back in the weight room early this week and took the field for spring practice beginning Wednesday.
Alex Nava was escorted on Senior Day by his parents, Brittany and Manuel Nava, and his sisters Emily, Madison and Gabriella Nava. RANDY CRUMP/Special

Alex Nava was escorted on Senior Day by his parents, Brittany and Manuel Nava, and his sisters Emily, Madison and Gabriella Nava. RANDY CRUMP/Special

Three Raiders garner all-region honors

Habersham Central Baseball produced three players named to the Region 8-6A All-Region Team. Freshman Maverick Chitwood led the way with his first-team selection as an outfielder. Senior Mason Dawe made the second team as a member of the infield.
Habersham Central boys tennis honorees (from left) include Kevin Wonders, Sam Hamilton, Bobby Ray Wallace, Josh Burris and Lije Smith. ROB WALLACE/Submitted

Habersham Central boys tennis honorees (from left) include Kevin Wonders, Sam Hamilton, Bobby Ray Wallace, Josh Burris and Lije Smith. ROB WALLACE/Submitted

Raider tennis honors its best

The Habersham Central Tennis program held its end of season banquet Tuesday night for both the boys and girls teams. For the boys, sophomore Kevin Wonders was given the “Heart of a Raider” Award. Doubles tandem Sam Hamilton and Bobby Ray Wallace – both juniors – took home “Most Improved.
Habersham Central Football Ring of Honor Class of 2023 members include (from left) Chase Green, Matt Burrell, Pudge Trimiar, Bernard Trimiar and Nelson Payne. LANG STOREY/Staff

Habersham Central Football Ring of Honor Class of 2023 members include (from left) Chase Green, Matt Burrell, Pudge Trimiar, Bernard Trimiar and Nelson Payne. LANG STOREY/Staff

Banquet ushers in new class of Raider Royalty

Habersham Central hosted its annual Ring of Honor Banquet this past Thursday night in Mt. Airy.
Tallulah Falls’ Frankie Moree set the all-time hits record for the Indians this year and won region player of the year. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

Tallulah Falls’ Frankie Moree set the all-time hits record for the Indians this year and won region player of the year. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

TFS’ Moree earns region player of the year honors in baseball

Seven Tallulah Falls players earned distinction as all Region 8-A DI players. Frankey Moree headlined the group, as he was named Region Player of the Year. Moree, a senior, was 1st Team All-Region, and he was joined by junior Rohajae Pinder.
Zeke Whittington (second from left) and Somdee Satiphone (second from right) compete in the men’s 100-meter dash for Habersham County earlier this season. The two combined their efforts along with JJ Faulkner and Micah White to reach sectionals in the 4x100 relay. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Zeke Whittington (second from left) and Somdee Satiphone (second from right) compete in the men’s 100-meter dash for Habersham County earlier this season. The two combined their efforts along with JJ Faulkner and Micah White to reach sectionals in the 4x100 relay. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Raiders set records in region track meet

Habersham Central Track & Field was back in Apalachee Tuesday for the final day of the region meet. The girls team finished third overall in the region while the boys finished fourth - each team’s highest finish in more than 15 years.