Sports

Habersham Central’s lineman get to work in the trenches at Tuesday’s practice. LANG STOREY/Staff

Habersham Central’s lineman get to work in the trenches at Tuesday’s practice. LANG STOREY/Staff

‘Fueled’ by past, Raiders attack spring practice

Lang Storey
Friday, May 12, 2023
As Habersham Football continues working through spring practice, there’s an unspoken uncomfortability throughout the locker room. Last year’s team left much to be desired as evidenced by its 3-7 final record.
The first-place Class A Top Team in the clay shoot was Street Toys. Pictured (from left) are Bill Nealis, Tim Sweat and Stan Lunsford. Not pictured is Lamar Dean. Lunsford also won the award as the event’s top individual shooter. CANDICE HOLCOMB/ Submitted

The first-place Class A Top Team in the clay shoot was Street Toys. Pictured (from left) are Bill Nealis, Tim Sweat and Stan Lunsford. Not pictured is Lamar Dean. Lunsford also won the award as the event’s top individual shooter. CANDICE HOLCOMB/ Submitted

United Way raises $29K with clay shoot

News Staff
Friday, May 12, 2023
The Habersham County United Way hosted its 2023 Spring Clay Shoot on April 29. It was a record breaking fundraiser for the semiannual event, as 30 teams registered to shoot and more than $29,000 was raised.
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

News Staff
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
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

News Staff
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
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

News Staff
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
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

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Velo Factory offers top-tier training to local talent

Lang Storey
Friday, May 5, 2023
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

Lang Storey
Friday, May 5, 2023
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

News Staff
Friday, May 5, 2023
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

News Staff
Friday, May 5, 2023
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

Lang Storey
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Habersham Central hosted its annual Ring of Honor Banquet this past Thursday night in Mt. Airy.