I rarely write columns, but I felt like I had to this week.
I’ve had the pleasure of covering Putnam County High School’s basketball teams for the past three years, and the 2024-25 season was the most fun. This year’s teams were the most enjoyable to cover because each team had a lot of success. Coaches Derrick Arrington and Patrick Marshall were also fantastic to work with.
Unfortunately, Putnam’s girls and boys fell short of the ultimate goal of winning a state title, but there is a lot to be proud of. This year, the Lady War Eagles and War Eagles each finished as runners-up in the region.
Each team also won at least one playoff game after missing the postseason the year before. That’s progress.
Putnam’s teams also spent much of the year inside the top 10 of Kyle Sandy’s Class A Division rankings. The Lady War Eagles were in the top 10 for most of the season but didn’t finish the regular season ranked. However, the War Eagles were ranked No. 1 overall for more than 90% of the year.
Arrington coached the Putnam girls to a 16-10 finish and a first-round win over Gordon-Lee. The Lady War Eagles defeated many of their rivals, including Hancock Central, Morgan County, Jasper County, and Social Circle.
Sadly, Putnam’s girls couldn’t top Lamar County, which beat them three times, twice in the regular season and once in the playoffs, ending their season. It was always close, though. The Lady War Eagles lost to the Lady Trojans by a combined 13 points.
In speaking with Arrington after the season ended, he was confident Putnam’s girls will conquer Lamar County next season. The Lady War Eagles return most of their roster next year, including all four players who earned All-Region honors: Journey Waller, Eryianna Marshall, Jaikarcee Smith, and De’Nadia Dunn.
Arrington also wants to win a region championship, advance more in the postseason, and capture a state title.
Marshall led Putnam’s boys to a program-best 27-3 finish in 2024-25. The War Eagles were a favorite to win the state championship, but they suffered a painful two-point loss last week to East Laurens in the Elite Eight.
Putnam’s boys played a tough schedule, and outside of East Laurens, their two other losses came to Greenforest. The War Eagles beat playoff teams, including Morgan County, Greene County, Hancock Central, Laney, and Towers, in the regular season. They defeated Central (Macon) and Commerce to reach the Elite Eight.
Putnam’s boys will graduate a few key players, specifically Jaylin Harper and Bryce Brabham, but the majority of the roster returns, including their top-three leading scorers: Jmari Greene, Tamaud Woodson, and Jeremy Banks.
Marshall is confident his team can take the next step in 2025-26 in their quest to win a state title.
The basketball future at Putnam County High School appears bright, and I hope to be around next year to cover both teams.