Sports

The Putnam County U11 Bandits wrapped up their fall travel baseball season with a big tournament championship win Nov. 19, in Winder. CONTRIBUTED

The Putnam County U11 Bandits wrapped up their fall travel baseball season with a big tournament championship win Nov. 19, in Winder. CONTRIBUTED

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BASEBALL: Tourney champions

Staff Reports
Thursday, December 8, 2022
The Putnam County U11 Bandits wrapped up their fall travel baseball season with a big tournament championship win Nov. 19, in Winder. Members of the team included (front, l-r) Leighton Benner, Robbie Miller, Bryce Larimore and JT Anthony.
Kaden Keiser (13) holds the ball at the top of the key looking for a teammate to pass to. CONTRIBUTED

Kaden Keiser (13) holds the ball at the top of the key looking for a teammate to pass to. CONTRIBUTED

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BASKETBALL: Hot start for Gators under Keiser

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 8, 2022
The Gatewood boys’ basketball team is playing well for head coach Don Keiser so far this season. The Gators are currently 3-1 and have only four more games before the end of the year. They will then face a tough stretch following the winter break.
The strong play of Gatewood’s Evan Bennett (7) this season drew the attention of University of North Carolina recruiters, resulting in a full scholarship offer for the 6-foot-3, 205-pound junior. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The strong play of Gatewood’s Evan Bennett (7) this season drew the attention of University of North Carolina recruiters, resulting in a full scholarship offer for the 6-foot-3, 205-pound junior. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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FOOTBALL: Bennett receives scholarship offer from UNC

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 8, 2022
In November, Gatewood football’s Evan Bennett received some great news via Twitter. It was a direct message from a football coach at the University of North Carolina inviting the junior running back and his family to visit Chapel Hill and attend a game on campus.
Georgia Bass Trail tourney takes on Lake Sinclair

Georgia Bass Trail tourney takes on Lake Sinclair

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Georgia Bass Trail tourney takes on Lake Sinclair

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Following its seasonopening North Division fishing tournament on Lake Oconee last month, the Georgia Bass Trail was back on the waters of Lake Sinclair this past weekend at Dennis Station.
Putnam County head coach Shaun Pope talks to his players after a Region 4-AAA win over Josey earlier this season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County head coach Shaun Pope talks to his players after a Region 4-AAA win over Josey earlier this season. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

'It's just time': Pope announces his retirement from coaching

Lance McCurley
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Putnam County head football coach Shaun Pope announced his retirement from coaching on Monday.  He informed the Eatonton Messenger of his plans only a few hours after letting his players and staff know the news.
Gatewood quarterback Ames Johnson (10) scrambles behind his offensive line during the GIAA Class AA semifinal game Nov. 25, against Central Fellowship Christian Academy in Macon. DAWN SINCLAIR/Staff

Gatewood quarterback Ames Johnson (10) scrambles behind his offensive line during the GIAA Class AA semifinal game Nov. 25, against Central Fellowship Christian Academy in Macon. DAWN SINCLAIR/Staff

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FOOTBALL: Gators’ season ends with 43-14 loss to CFCA

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
The Gatewood Gators looked good early but just couldn’t keep pace with the No.1ranked Lancers of Central Fellowship Christian Academy (CFCA) Friday night in Macon.
Keyni Crawford (4) brings the ball up the court against Hancock Central. ARELLA CASH/Staff

Keyni Crawford (4) brings the ball up the court against Hancock Central. ARELLA CASH/Staff

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BASKETBALL: War Eagles gut out two wins to start season

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
The Putnam County boys’ basketball team started its 2022-23 season on a high note last week with two wins over Northside (Columbus) and Hancock Central. First, the War Eagles traveled to McDonough to defeat the Northside Patriots 68-61 at Union Grove High School on a neutral court.
Loran Smith, Columnist

Loran Smith, Columnist

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SMITH: Bowl games

Loran Smith
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
With the expansion of the playoffs, more bowl games, hopefully, will become more involved. After the support the holiday bowls have extended to colleges over the years, the institutions of higher learning should never be guilty of giving the bowls back of the hand treatment.
Georgia senior quarterback Stetson Bennett did enough in his last appearance on Dooley Field to beat Georgia Tech last Saturday in Athens. HUNTER PEACOCK/Contributed

Georgia senior quarterback Stetson Bennett did enough in his last appearance on Dooley Field to beat Georgia Tech last Saturday in Athens. HUNTER PEACOCK/Contributed

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Bulldogs back in Atlanta for SEC Championship

Brendan Koerner
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
For the second-straight year, the Georgia Bulldogs are heading back to the SEC Championship game. After beating in-state rival Georgia Tech 37-14 last Saturday, Georgia now could capture something it hasn’t been able to since 2017: an SEC title.
Banks led Putnam County in scoring last year during his junior campaign. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Banks led Putnam County in scoring last year during his junior campaign. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Banks signs with Georgia Southern

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Eren Banks put pen to paper last week and signed to play at Georgia Southern University.The Putnam County basketball star is now officially an Eagle after signing his letter of intent.“I’m really excited,” Banks told The Eatonton Messenger.
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