Sports

Lauren Paxson (1) and teammate Avery Hill will help lead the Lady Gators as seniors this season. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

Lauren Paxson (1) and teammate Avery Hill will help lead the Lady Gators as seniors this season. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

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Lady Gators aim to build toward future in offseason

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
After reaching the GIAA Final Four last season, the Gatewood Lady Gators have quickly shifted their focus toward the future.
Lawson Moore threw a complete-game no-hitter in Gatewood’s decisive 7-0 victory in Game 2 of the GIAA state championship series last Friday afternoon at J.I. Clements Stadium in Statesboro. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Lawson Moore threw a complete-game no-hitter in Gatewood’s decisive 7-0 victory in Game 2 of the GIAA state championship series last Friday afternoon at J.I. Clements Stadium in Statesboro. TREY NORRIS/Staff

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Gatewood’s Lawson Moore emerges as national pitching star

Trey Norris
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
STATESBORO – Last Friday afternoon marked one of the greatest performances in Gatewood baseball history when Lawson Moore tossed a complete game no-hitter.
Gatewood players pose with their fourth consecutive state championship trophy last Friday in Statesboro. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood players pose with their fourth consecutive state championship trophy last Friday in Statesboro. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gators win program’s fifth state title

Trey Norris
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
STATESBORO — If there was any doubt about Gatewood’s status as the GIAA’s premier baseball program over the past four seasons, the Gators’ latest state championship run put those questions to rest.
Putnam County’s Emily Hardie recently signed to continue her golf career at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County’s Emily Hardie recently signed to continue her golf career at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville. CONTRIBUTED

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Hardie stays local, inks with GMC

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Putnam County graduate Emily Hardie has signed with Georgia Military College to continue her golf career, joining former teammate Jade Mullis in Milledgeville.
Gatewood coaches want their players to be like “family” to each other, committed to helping whether in the gym or on the football field. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood coaches want their players to be like “family” to each other, committed to helping whether in the gym or on the football field. TREY NORRIS/Staff

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Gators begin summer workouts in preparation for 2026 season

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
With the start of summer workouts underway, the Gatewood football team has officially begun laying the groundwork for the 2026 season.
Gatewood celebrates on the field after sweeping Trinity Christian to clinch its sixth straight GIAA Class 2A state championship appearance. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood celebrates on the field after sweeping Trinity Christian to clinch its sixth straight GIAA Class 2A state championship appearance. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gators going for four-peat

Trey Norris
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Dominating wins of 5-1 and 8-0 over Trinity Christian last Thursday sent Gatewood’s baseball team to its sixth consecutive GIAA Class 2A state championship series.
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

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Smith: Wayne Brantley

Loran Smith
Thursday, May 28, 2026
This is overdue, and I regret having to pay tribute to a good friend belatedly. When I heard the news that my longtime friend Wayne Brantley had passed away a few weeks ago, I made plans to drive from Athens to Vidalia for his final service.
Putnam County’s RJ Hines (second from left) recently signed to continue his football career at Cumberland University. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County’s RJ Hines (second from left) recently signed to continue his football career at Cumberland University. CONTRIBUTED

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Putnam’s Hines signs with familiar program

Lance McCurley
Thursday, May 28, 2026
RJ Hines has had a busy few weeks.This past Friday, he walked at Putnam County High School’s graduation ceremony, and a few weeks earlier, he made his college decision, signing to play football at Cumberland University, an NAIA program.
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