Sports

Putnam County freshman guard Jaydah Baker (20) has proved to be a player the Lady War Eagles can rely on down the stretch. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County freshman guard Jaydah Baker (20) has proved to be a player the Lady War Eagles can rely on down the stretch. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lady War Eagles ready for region tournament

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
As the region tournament nears, the Putnam County girls basketball team sits atop the Class A Division I state rankings and heads into postseason play as one of the programs everyone is chasing.
Putnam County coach Patrick Marshall talks with his team during a timeout in a game against Lamar County on Jan. 28. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County coach Patrick Marshall talks with his team during a timeout in a game against Lamar County on Jan. 28. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Marshall concerned about consistency with War Eagles

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
The Putnam County boys basketball team continues to stack up wins, but head coach Patrick Marshall made it clear last week that the War Eagles aren’t meeting their own standard.The team added two key region wins over Lamar County (87-63) and Jasper County (82-67) last week.
Gatewood junior Landon Moreno (13) has been a major contributor for the Gators this season and should provide some strong leadership for next year’s team, too. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood junior Landon Moreno (13) has been a major contributor for the Gators this season and should provide some strong leadership for next year’s team, too. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood boys’ struggles continue on the court

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Unfortunately, it was three up, three down for the Gatewood Gators last week, with losses to Rock Springs Christian, Briarwood, and Brentwood, dropping their record to 2-18 overall and 0-7 in region play.The Gators visited Rock Springs in Milner on Jan. 27 and left after a 73-61 loss.
Putnam County junior Bryson Brown captured first place in the 175-pound weight class at the area traditional wrestling tournament this past weekend. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County junior Bryson Brown captured first place in the 175-pound weight class at the area traditional wrestling tournament this past weekend. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam wrestling sends five to sectionals

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
The Putnam County boys wrestling team delivered a strong showing at the traditional area tournament, qualifying five wrestlers for sectionals while competing in one of the toughest regions in the state.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Monken to the Browns

Loran Smith
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
With the flurry of hiring young guns in the National Football League over the last half dozen years, it is interesting that there was an opportunity last week for one geezer who has never been an NFL head coach — Todd Monken with the Cleveland Browns. He is not without credentials, however.
Putnam County freshman point guard Jaydah Baker (20) goes up for a layup over a Lamar County defender in a 70-56 win over the Lady Trojans on Jan. 28. Baker led the Lady War Eagles with 24 points in the win. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County freshman point guard Jaydah Baker (20) goes up for a layup over a Lamar County defender in a 70-56 win over the Lady Trojans on Jan. 28. Baker led the Lady War Eagles with 24 points in the win. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lady War Eagles hold off Lamar to secure region lead

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
The Putnam County girls basketball team used a strong start and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch to earn a 70–56 victory over Lamar County on Jan. 28, securing sole possession of first place in the region.
Junior Lauren Paxson has developed into a team leader on and off the court for the Gatewood Lady Gators. IAN TOCHER/STAFF

Junior Lauren Paxson has developed into a team leader on and off the court for the Gatewood Lady Gators. IAN TOCHER/STAFF

Gatewood girls win 2-of-3 as playoffs approach

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
The Gatewood basketball team, led by head coach Ferdinand Farley, opened with a solid 57-28 win at Rock Springs Christian last Tuesday, then followed up two days later at home with a 47-22 victory over Briarwood Academy.
Putnam County’s Michelle Hernandez (left) tries to pin an opponent during a tournament match in the regular season. KIM CASH/ Contributed

Putnam County’s Michelle Hernandez (left) tries to pin an opponent during a tournament match in the regular season. KIM CASH/ Contributed

Quick turnaround awaits PC girls wrestlers

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Weather delays and a highly competitive region have created a quick turnaround for the Putnam County girls wrestling team as it begins the traditional postseason.
Putnam County freshman point guard Jaydah Baker (20) goes up for a layup over a Lamar County defender in a 70-56 win over the Lady Trojans on Jan. 28. Baker led the Lady War Eagles with 24 points in the win. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County freshman point guard Jaydah Baker (20) goes up for a layup over a Lamar County defender in a 70-56 win over the Lady Trojans on Jan. 28. Baker led the Lady War Eagles with 24 points in the win. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lady War Eagles hold off Lamar to secure top spot in region

Lance McCurley
Monday, February 2, 2026
The Putnam County girls basketball team used a strong start and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch to earn a 70–56 victory over Lamar County on Jan. 28, securing sole possession of first place in the region.
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