Sports

Habersham Central’s Cole Gary scores 3 from well beyond the arc, setting the Raiders ahead by four. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central’s Cole Gary scores 3 from well beyond the arc, setting the Raiders ahead by four. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Raiders stay hot, sweep Battle of the Hooch

News Staff
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Habersham Central’s boys basketball team used a 26-point fourth quarter to beat the White County Warriors 62-56 Friday to complete a season sweep. “I thought Brannon Gaines did a heck of a job shutting down Jadon [Yeh]; [he] did a really great job there,” Raiders coach Tommy Yancey said.
Former Habersham Central coach Don Ledbetter (right) gets interviews on Blitz Georgia by Brian Carter in 2017.

Former Habersham Central coach Don Ledbetter (right) gets interviews on Blitz Georgia by Brian Carter in 2017.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Raider hoops Hall of Famers set to get their due

Matthew Osborne
Friday, December 2, 2022
Habersham Central will celebrate its three new inductees to the school’s basketball Hall of Fame between the girls and boys games Friday night. Former Raider hoops legends Pat Burns and Dr. Renee York will be inducted along with Coach Don Ledbetter.
Habersham Central’s Justin Whitney topped his opponent from Gilmer County on Tuesday. FILE

Habersham Central’s Justin Whitney topped his opponent from Gilmer County on Tuesday. FILE

Raider wrestlers split tri-match

News Staff
Friday, December 2, 2022
Habersham Central’s wrestlers split a tri-match Tuesday in Dawsonville ahead of a big tournament this weekend. The Raiders knocked off host Dawson County 57-24. Eli Thornton won a 10-3 decision at 138 pounds to start the match strong, followed by a forfeit at 144 by Juan Navaro.
Habersham’s wrestling team took second at the Grayson High tournament before Thanksgiving. Shown are (front row, from left) Eli Thornton, Ryan McDonald, Zach Chitwood, Nathan Chitwood and Andrew Sosebee. Second row are (from left) assistant coach Chris McCrackin, Javonte Bowen, Ethan Watson, Landyn Savage, Hudson Kerby, Westin Lakey, Isai Gonzalez and head coach Morris Brooks. Back row are (from left) Callum Spivey, Carder King, Jayden Garrison and Justin Whitney. MORRIS BROOKS/Submitted

Habersham’s wrestling team took second at the Grayson High tournament before Thanksgiving. Shown are (front row, from left) Eli Thornton, Ryan McDonald, Zach Chitwood, Nathan Chitwood and Andrew Sosebee. Second row are (from left) assistant coach Chris McCrackin, Javonte Bowen, Ethan Watson, Landyn Savage, Hudson Kerby, Westin Lakey, Isai Gonzalez and head coach Morris Brooks. Back row are (from left) Callum Spivey, Carder King, Jayden Garrison and Justin Whitney. MORRIS BROOKS/Submitted

Raiders take second in first tournament action

News Staff
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Habersham Central’s wrestling team competed in the 10-team Grayson High School Varsity Tournament on Nov. 23 and finished as the runner-up. The Raiders defeated Hillcrest High School (S.C.
Raiders coach Tommy Yancey instructs Cole Gary and Bryce Pittman during the season opener. CODY ROGERS/Special

Raiders coach Tommy Yancey instructs Cole Gary and Bryce Pittman during the season opener. CODY ROGERS/Special

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Raider hoops teams shine at holiday showcase

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Habersham Central’s basketball teams each picked up wins at the North Georgia High School Showcase over the weekend. The Raider boys topped Duluth 68-57 Saturday, led by Bryce Pittman’s 26 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
Tallulah Falls’ Denika Lightbourne (with ball) celebrates with teammates after scoring her 1,000th point in a TFS win. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

Tallulah Falls’ Denika Lightbourne (with ball) celebrates with teammates after scoring her 1,000th point in a TFS win. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

Lightbourne fills up record book in win

News Staff
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
The Lady Indians outscored Denmark in every quarter on the way to a 51-36 win in the Jefferson Thanksgiving Tournament on Saturday. In the process, senior Denika Lightbourne had a historic outing highlighted by her 1,000th career points and setting three school records.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Region champ Hotard gears up for Meet of Champions

Matthew Osborne
Friday, November 11, 2022
Habersham Central’s star runner Audrey Hotard finished 21st in the 6A state meet last weekend, and she is preparing for the Meet of Champions on Saturday. “I was hoping to finish near the top 10, but did not have my best race,” said Hotard, who was 12th in state last year. Hotard ran a 21:08.
Tallulah Falls volleyball players and fans celebrate their state championship win on Nov. 4. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

Tallulah Falls volleyball players and fans celebrate their state championship win on Nov. 4. AUSTIN POFFENBERGER/Special

Exclusive Subscriber Content

‘Forever in our lives’

Matthew Osborne
Friday, November 11, 2022
After two wins over Monroe Area and Flowery Branch on Sept. 24, Tallulah Falls volleyball coach Matt Heyl tried to motivate his team to reach its peak. “I was semi-joking with them that I wanted them to win the next 16 in a row,” Heyl said Wednesday.
Tallulah Falls won its first state championship in volleyball Friday.

Tallulah Falls won its first state championship in volleyball Friday.

BREAKING: Tallulah Falls volleyball wins 1A state championship

News Staff
Friday, November 4, 2022
   Tallulah Falls' volleyball team won the 1A state championship with a four-set win over Mt. Bethel in Cartersville on Friday.    The Lady Indians (35-11) finished a historic season with their first state championship in school history.
Habersham Central girls basketball coach Bill Bradley responds to a question at the FCA Media Day in Gainesville on Wednesday morning. Joining him on the stage were his players, Kyia Barrett and Jazky Bantaum, along with Raiders Cole Gary and Bryce Pittman, and boys coach Tommy Yancey.

Habersham Central girls basketball coach Bill Bradley responds to a question at the FCA Media Day in Gainesville on Wednesday morning. Joining him on the stage were his players, Kyia Barrett and Jazky Bantaum, along with Raiders Cole Gary and Bryce Pittman, and boys coach Tommy Yancey.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Raider basketball teams growing up together

Matthew Osborne
Friday, November 4, 2022
   Both Habersham Central basketball teams have a lot of new faces this year, offering the biggest challenge to coaches Bill Bradley and Tommy Yancey.    Bradley is in his sixth year leading the Lady Raiders (17-10 in 2021-22), and he likes the progress his young team made in the summer.