Sports

Putnam County senior midfielder Angel Sanchez (10) chases after a ball as he tries to score in a match against Jasper County on March 13. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County senior midfielder Angel Sanchez (10) chases after a ball as he tries to score in a match against Jasper County on March 13. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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War Eagles drop first match of the season

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
No. 3 Jasper County recently handed top-ranked Putnam County its first loss of the regular season, edging the War Eagles 2-1 in a closely contested matchup last Friday.The result split the season series between the two teams, as Putnam County won the first meeting 2-1 on Feb. 24.
Putnam County senior midfielder and captain Jamie Maria (24) tries to steal the ball from a Jasper County striker. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County senior midfielder and captain Jamie Maria (24) tries to steal the ball from a Jasper County striker. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Lady War Eagles show growth

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
The Putnam County girls soccer team continues to show signs of growth this season, even after a narrow 2-1 loss to Jasper County on Friday, March 13.
Sophomore Lawson Moore set a single-game school record with 17 strikeouts in a dominant performance against rival Piedmont on March 3. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Sophomore Lawson Moore set a single-game school record with 17 strikeouts in a dominant performance against rival Piedmont on March 3. TREY NORRIS/Staff

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STRIKE 3: Gatewood’s Lawson Moore sets school strikeout record

Trey Norris
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Gatewood starting pitcher and outfielder Lawson Moore has been a standout for the baseball program since joining the varsity team as an eighth-grader in 2024.
Putnam County boys senior Jmari Greene (3) was named Region Player of the Year for the second straight year. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County boys senior Jmari Greene (3) was named Region Player of the Year for the second straight year. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

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PCHS boys, girls earn All-Region basketball honors

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
The Putnam County basketball teams celebrated standout seasons, as several players from both the boys’ and girls’ programs earned All-Region recognition.On the boys’ side, Jmari Greene was named Region Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Putnam County senior Tamaud Woodson (center) celebrates with teammates and coaches during halftime of the Elite Eight game against Fitzgerald after reaching his 1,000th career point. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior Tamaud Woodson (center) celebrates with teammates and coaches during halftime of the Elite Eight game against Fitzgerald after reaching his 1,000th career point. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Woodson reaches 1,000-point milestone

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
For Putnam County basketball’s Tamaud Woodson, reaching 1,000 career points is more than just a number; it’s the result of years of perseverance, late nights in the gym, and a journey that truly came together in his final season.
Putnam County senior slugger Gates Lanzarone had a big series against Alcovy, which included a grand slam in game two. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior slugger Gates Lanzarone had a big series against Alcovy, which included a grand slam in game two. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Putnam baseball sweeps Alcovy

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The Putnam County baseball team cruised past Alcovy last week, sweeping the series with two commanding victories.The War Eagles rolled to 14-0 and 14-3 wins over the Class 5A Tigers, improving their overall record to 5-6.
Putnam County senior Tamaud Woodson goes up for a layup over Fitzgerald defenders. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior Tamaud Woodson goes up for a layup over Fitzgerald defenders. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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War Eagles can’t weather storm against Fitzgerald in Elite Eight

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The Putnam County boys basketball team’s season came to an end in the Elite Eight with an 81–72 loss at Fitzgerald on March 4.The Purple Hurricane used a strong second half to pull away and secure a spot in the Final Four.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

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Smith: Catchings & Company

Loran Smith
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The last home game of the basketball season had something for everyone, including a malfunctioning clock and one or two negatives, each of which was blown away by Catchings & Company, a one-man firm if you peruse the stat sheet — but in actuality, a cog in the well-oiled team machine of one Coach...
Elbert County’s Zy Belcher (23) drives to the basket, contending with Putnam County’s De’Nadia Dunn (25) and Eriyana Little (12) in the paint. Courtesy of BO UNDERWOOD/Elberton Star

Elbert County’s Zy Belcher (23) drives to the basket, contending with Putnam County’s De’Nadia Dunn (25) and Eriyana Little (12) in the paint. Courtesy of BO UNDERWOOD/Elberton Star

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Lady War Eagles fall in Final Four

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Putnam County’s historic postseason journey came to an end March 7 in the Class A Division I Final Four, as No. 12 seed Elbert County upset the No. 8 Lady War Eagles 48–45 in a thrilling semifinal in Fort Valley.
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